CNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  PUBLICATIONS. 


COLLEGE  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

AGRICULTURAL  EXPERIMENT  STATION. 


CULTURE  WORK  AT  THE  SUBSTATIONS 


1899-1901. 


By  CHARLES  H.  SHINN,  Inspector  of  Stations. 


BULLETIN  No.  147. 

(Berkeley,  June,  1902  ) 


SACRAMENTO 


W.    W.    SHANNON, 


:      SUPERINTENDENT    STATE  PRINTING. 
1  903. 


BENJAMIN  IDE  WHEELER,  Ph.D.,  LL.D.,  President  of  the  University. 

EXPERIMENT  STATION  STAFF. 

E.  W.  HILGARD,  Ph.D.,  LL.D.,  Director  and  Chemist. 

E.  J.  WICKSON,  M.A.,  Horticulturist,  and  Superintendent  of  Central  Station  Grounds. 

W.  A.  SETCHELL,  Ph.D.,  Botanist. 

ELWOOD  MEAD,  M.S.,  C.E.,  Irrigation  Engineer. 

R.  H.  LOUGHRIDGE,  Ph.D.,  Agricultural  Geologist  andSoil  Physicist.    (Soils  and  Alkali.) 

C.  W.  WOODWORTH,  M.S.,  Entomologist. 

M.  E.  JAFFA,  M.S.,  Assistant  Chemist.    (Foods,  Fertilizers.) 

G.  W.  SHAW,  M.A.,  Ph.D..  Assistant  Chemist.     (Soils,  Beet-Sugar.) 

RALPH  E.  SMITH,  B.S.,  Plant  Pathologist. 

GEORGE  E.  COLBY,  M.S;,  Assistant  Chemist.    (Fruits,  Waters,  Insecticides.) 

LEROY  ANDERSON,  M.S.A.,  Animal  Industries,  San  Luis  Obispo. 

A.  R.  WARD,  B.S.A.,  D.V.M.,  Veterinarian,  Bacteriologist. 

E.  H.  TWIGHT,  B.Sc,  Diplome  E.A.M.,  Viticulturist. 

E.  W.  MAJOR,  B.Agr.,  Dairy  Husbandry. 

A.  V.  STUBENRAUCH,  M.S.,  Assistant  Horticulturist  and  Superintendent  of  Substations. 

WARREN  T.  CLARKE,  Assistant  Field  Entomologist. 

H.  M.  HALL,  M.S.,  Assistant  Botanist. 

C.  H.  SHINN,  B.  A.,  Inspector  of  Stations.    (Resigned.) 

C.  A.  TRIEBEL,  Ph.G.,  Student  Assistant  in  Agricultural  Laboratory. 

C.  A.  COLMORE,  B.S.,  Clerk  to  the  Director. 


EMIL  KELLNER,  Foreman  of  Central  Station  Grounds. 
JOHN  TUOHY,  Patron, 


Tulare  Substation,  Tulare. 
JULIUS  FORRER,  Foreman,  ' 

R.  C.  RUST,  Patron,  )  ,.„„    L 

y  Foothill  Substation,  Jackson. 
JOHN  H.  BARBER,  Foreman,  ) 

3.  D.  MERK,  Patron,  )  „  „   .'       .        ^ 

[■   Coast  Range  Substation,  Paso  Robles. 
J.  H.  OOLEY,  Workman  in  charge,  ) 

S.  N.  ANDROUS,  Patron,  )  ,  ^  ,.f       .    a   .    ^  ^  (  Pomona, 

}•   Southern  California  Substation,   ■{ 
J.  W.  MILLS,  Foreman,      )  (  Ontario. 

V.  C.  RICHARDS,  Patron, 

T.  L.  BOHLENDER,  in  charge, 

ROY  JONES,  Patron, 

WM.  SHUTT,  Foreman, 


~on,  ) 

V   Southern  California  Substation, 
h      ) 

y  Forestry  Station,  Chico. 
arge,  ) 

I  Forestry  Station,  Santa  Monica. 


The  Station  publications  (Reports1  and  Bulletins)  will  be  sent  to  any 
citizen  of  the  State  on  application,  so  long  as  available. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


Page. 

THE  FOOTHILL  SUBSTATION _ 7 

Change  of  Officers 8 

Climate 8 

Frosts  and  frostless  locations _._ _ 9 

The  Orchard _ 9 

Pome  Fruits ._ 10 

Apples,  Quinces,  Japanese  Persimmons _ 10 

Stone  Fruits . .. _..  12 

Almonds,  Apricots,  Nectarines,  Peaches,  Plums,  Prunes,  Cherries 12 

Semi-tropic  Fruits ._ _ 15 

Figs,  Olives,  Walnuts _ ..   15 

Small  Fruits 17 

Blackberries,  Raspberries,  other  Berries _ ...  17 

The  Vineyard  . . 18 

Varieties  for  Dry  White  Wine ;  Dry  Red  Wine;  Sweet  Wine 19 

Test  Plots  and  Small  Cultures    20 

Saltbushes,  Grasses,  Beets  and  other  field  roots,  Jersey  Kale,  Tagasaste,  Buck- 
wheats, Lupins _ _..  20 

Seeds  from  the  Department  of  Agriculture _._ 22 

Muskmelons,  Stock-Melons,  Watermelons,  Vetches,  Lentils,  Turkestan  Alfalfa, 
Maize,  Velvet  Bean,  Safflower,  Artichokes,  Cotton,  March  Rape,  Garbanzos, 

Broad  Beans,  Field  and  other  Peas . 22 

Gluten  Wheats . _ _.  27 

SOUTHERN  COAST  RANGE  SUBSTATION _ 28 

Changes  in  Officers . 28 

History  ... _.. -- 28 

Climate,  Rainfall,  Frosts,  and  Temperature 30 

The  Orchard  .. — 33 

Apples,  Pears,  Plums,  and  Prunes;  Other  fruits _ 33 

Growth  of  Trees  on  Hardpan .... 34 

The  Vineyard 35 

Perennial  Grasses — 36 

Wheat  Experiments - --.  - 36 

Wheat  Hay  Experiments 37 

Seeds  from  Washington  and  Elsewhere 38 

Ryes,  Wheats,  Barley,  Vetches,  Egyptian  Clover,  Canaigre,  Dwarf  Essex  Rape, 
March  Rape,  Turkestan  Alfalfa,  Russian  Millet,  Broad  Beans,  Lentils,  Goat's 

Rue,  Samower,  Foxtail  Furze,  Alfalfa,  Grasses,  Saltbushes 38 

Vegetables - 41 

Melons  and  Squashes 42 

SAN  JOAQUIN  VALLEY  SUBSTATION 44 

Review,  Changes  and  Improvements,  Local  Value  of  Station 44 

Climate,  Rainfall,  Temperature,  Frosts 45 

Frost  Effects  on  Carob,  Oranges,  Olives,  Date  Palms,  Eucalypts 47 

The  Orchard --- - - 50 

Apples,  Pears,  Quinces,  Almonds,  Apricots,  Nectarines,  Peaches,  Plums  and 

Prunes,  Figs - -- -- - --- 50 

The  Vineyard - - - 55 

Small  Cultures -- --  55 

Saltbushes,  Turkestan  Alfalfa,  Horse-Beans,- Vetches,  Lentils,  Garbanzos,  Lupins, 

Cereals,  Millets,  Furze,  Grasses  and  Clovers,  Artichokes,  Squashes  and  Melons.  55 


4  TABLE   OF    CONTENTS. 

SOUTHERN  CALIFORNIA  SUBSTATION ^62 

Brief  History... 62 

Climate,  Rainfall,  Temperature _ 63 

Irrigation _ 65 

Amounts  of  Water  used  for  Irrigation  in  1901.. _ 65 

Deep  versus  Shallow  Furrow  Systems... ._ 67 

How  to  Plow  Furrows  for  Irrigation _ 67 

Absorption  and  Penetration  of  Water . _ 67 

Weather  during  Irrigation :  Amount  of  Water  in  the  Soil _ 70 

The  Orchard  ._ 71 

Apples,  Pears,  Plums,  Nectarines;  Other  Deciduous  Fruits .  71 

Peaches,  Olives 74 

Citrus  Fruits :  Comparative  Yields,  Frost  Effects,  Protection  against  Winds 76 

The  Vineyard .._ 78 

Notes  on  Table  Grapes _ 80 

Small  Cultures ._ 83 

Alfalfa,  Asparagus,  Chicory,  Bassia,  Broad  Beans,  Carrots,  Chard,  Cotton,  Cucum- 
bers, Enchylsena  tomentosa,  Field  Peas,  Gourds,  Grasses,  Millets,  Musk- 
melons,  Myrtle  Bush,  Rye,  Safnower,  Sesame,  Sorghums,  Soy  Beans,  Sugar- 
beets,  Sweet  Fennel,  Turnips,  Vegetable  Marrows,  Watermelons,  and  Stock 

Melons _ 83 

SANTA  MONICA  FORESTRY  SUBSTATION 89 

Review  of  Changes  and  Improvements. 89 

Climate,  Rainfall,  Temperature _ 90 

The  Eucalyptus  Groves 92 

On  Upper  Mesa _ _ 92 

Enlargement  of  the  Collection _ _ 94 

The  New  Grove  of  1901... _ 96 

Notes  on  Eucalypts  from  Department  of  Agriculture 97 

Other  New  Eucalypts _ 98 

Distribution  of  Seeds  and  Trees ;  Hillside  Planting 98 

Acacias ... 98 

Oaks,  Black  Locust,  Casuarinas,  Zelkova  keaki,  Ashes,  Maytenus  boaria 100 

Other  Hardwood  Trees 101 

CHICO  FORESTRY  SUBSTATION 102 

History;  Eucalyptus  Planting 102 

Climatic  Conditions,  Rainfall,  Temperature 102 

Tables  by  C.  C.  Royce 104 

Studies  of  Tree  Growth 106 

The  Conifers 106 

Deciduous  Trees :    European  White  Birch,  Catalpa,  Paulownia,  Celtis,  Zelkova 

keaki,  Ashes,  Elms,  English  Oak,  Willows 108 

The  Eucalypts - Ill 

Acacias -.  — 112 

TREE-PLANTING   ON  A  BERKELEY  HILLTOP 113 

Location  of  the  Grove 113 

Eucalyptus  Trees  -._ - - - 113 

Acacias - - 116 

Oaks  and  Other  Trees  ._ - 117 

Conclusions 119 

Note  on  the  Composition  of  the  Adobe  Soil  of  Hilltop;  by  E.  W.  Hilgard.  119 
Mechanical  and  Chemical  Analyses 120 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


FOOTHILL  SUBSTATION—  Page. 

New  Pump-house  and  Workshop - .-      7 

New  Orchard _ 11 

SOUTHERN  COAST  RANGE  SUBSTATION— 

Chart  for  1897-8.  —  , 29 

Chartof  Station  for  1901 29 

SAN  JOAQUIN  VALLEY  SUBSTATION— 

Eucalyptus  on  Strong  Alkali  Soil 49 

Saltbushes  (Atriplex  pamparum  and  cachiyuyum) 57 

SOUTHERN  CALIFORNIA  SUBSTATION— 

Diagram  showing  Amount  of  Water  Used  in  Irrigation 66 

Diagram  showing  how  to  Plow  Irrigation  Furrows __ 68 

Diagram  showing  Spread  of  Water  from  Deep  Furrows. 69 

Diagram  showing  Percentage  of  Water  at  Different  Depths _ 70 

Kansas  Stock-Melon 88 

Tsaraa  or  Khama  Melon 88 

SANTA  MONICA  FORESTRY  SUBSTATION— 

Eucalyptus  Grove  Three  Years  Old _ 93 

Eucalyptus  sideroxylon 95 

Acacia  Grove 99 

CH1CO  FORESTRY  SUBSTATION— 

The  Hooker  Oak  on  Rancho  Chico _ •___.  110 

CENTRAL  STATION— 

Eucalpytus  Grove  near  the  Economic  Garden 114 

Eucalypts  on  Adobe  Hilltop 115 

Acacia  decurrens  on  Adobe  Hilltop 116 

English  Oaks  on  Adobe  Hilltop 117 

Grove  of  Oaks,  Eucalypts,  Acacias,  etc. 118 


REPORT  ON  THE  CULTURE  SUBSTATIONS. 


THE  FOOTHILL  SUBSTATION. 

(Five  miles  from  Jackson,  the  county  seat  of  Amador  County,  in  the  Sierra  Nevada 
foothills;  highest  elevation,  1975  feet ) 


The  last  report  of  work  done  at  this  substation  carried  the  history  of 
the  place  from  the  summer  of  1897  to  the  summer  of  1899,  covering  two 
fiscal  years.  This  report  covers  the  period  between  June,  1899,  and 
June,  1901,  with  some  items,  such  as  rainfall,  continued  to  the  latest 
date  available  before  publication. 

The  foothill  substation,  while,  as  always,  difficult  of  access  and  super- 
vision, on  account  of  the  distance  from  the  railroad,  which  must  be  left 


PLATE  1.    The  New  Pump-House  and  Workshop. 

at  lone  or  at  Valley  Springs,  is  of  growing  importance  to  the  district. 
Its  collections  of  trees  are  large  and  valuable.  Its  experiments  in  many 
cultures  adapted  to  the  Sierra  foothills  have  been  many  and  useful.  Its 
possibilities  are  great,  and  it  will  be  many  years  before  they  can  be 
considered  to  be  exhausted.     There  has  been  a  marked  increase  in  the 


8  UNIVERSITY   OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT   STATION. 

horticultural  interests  of  the  region  during  the  past  five  years,  and  the 
substation  has  done  much  to  direct  and  develop  this  interest. 

The  plans  arranged  for  in  1897  and  inaugurated  by  the  construction 
of  a  new  cottage  for  the  foreman  at  a  cost  of  $900,  which  was  practically 
completed  by  the  end  of  1898,  have  been  carried  out  in  the  main  as  then 
decided  upon.  A  larger  turbine  and  pump,  built  by  the  Sutter  Creek 
foundry,  have  been  completed  at  a  cost  of  $550  for  materials  and  labor. 
A  new  and  larger  pump-house  has  been  constructed,  in  which  tools  can 
be  kept,  a  work-bench  placed,  the  circular  saws  used  in  cutting  wood, 
etc.,  stored,  and  work  done  in  rainy  weather.  The  circular  saws  and 
the  grindstone  are  run  by  the  turbine.  The  entire  flow  of  the  ditch  can 
now  be  taken  to  give  power.  All  that  the  water  system  needs  to  com- 
plete it  is  a  large  pipe  from  the  pump  to  the  reservoir  on  the  hill.  Breaks 
in  the  reservoir,  due  to  faulty  construction  in  1889,  have  been  repaired. 

The  old  tank-house  has  been  removed  from  the  top  of  the  hill  and  set 
behind  the  cottage  on  a  good  cement  foundation.  The  ground  has  been 
properly  terraced  and  walled  wherever  necessary  near  the  cottage  and 
the  propagating-house. 

The  economic  garden  and  areas  for  test  plots  near  the  cottage  have 
been  materially  enlarged,  and  most  of  the  small  fruits  placed  by  the 
water-ditch. 

A  separate  building  has  been  constructed  for  an  office  and  seed-house, 
long  necessary  here.  The  cottage  contained  no  room  for  these  purposes, 
and  it  has  always  been  desirable  to  have  business  headquarters,  particu- 
larly at  a  substation  which  has  so  many  visitors,  forty  or  fifty  persons 
having  sometimes  come  in  a  single  day.  The  office  was  built  of  moun- 
tain pine,  covered  with  shakes,  and  battened,  as  cheaply  as  was  con- 
sistent with  durability.  The  size  was  12  by  20  feet,  and  it  was  put  on 
a  rough  stone  foundation.  The  total  outlay  for  labor  and  materials  was 
less  than  $200. 

Change  in  Officers. — Mr.  J.  W.  Neal,  who  had  served  here  as  workman 
in  charge  and  as  foreman  since  June,  1897,  was  transferred  to  the  sub- 
station near  Paso  Robles  (his  old  home)  in  the  spring  of  1901,  and  Mr. 
John  H.  Barber  was  transferred  from  Paso  Robles  to  the  Foothill  sub- 
station. The  local  Patron  is  still  Judge  R.  C.  Rust,  whose  interest  in 
the  welfare  of  the  station  remains  unflagging. 

CLIMATE. 

The  following  brief  table  shows  the  temperature  and  rainfall  at  the 
substation  from  July,  1898,  to  June,  1901,  inclusive: 

Temperature  and  Rainfall  at  Sierra  Foothill  Substation   for  Three  Seasons. 

vt-  „-  Max.  Min.        Mean  Max.  MeanMin.        Mean         Poi„fllli 

Montn.  Temp.  Temp.  Temp.  Temp.  Temp.         Kainiau. 

1898— July 104°  50°  94°  64°  79°  trace 

August 106  52  90  64  77  0.00 

September 98  46  81  57  69  0.40 

October... 90  38  75  51  63  1.04 

November. 76  30  59  41  50  2.11 

December 62  26  51  35  43  2.70 

1899— January 68  26  52  39  45  5.20 

February.... 70  20  56  38  47  0.57 

March.. 72  30  56  38  47  14.60 

April 94  30  77  43  60  1.49 

May 100  34  74  44  59  1.07 

June 96  44  84  58  71  100 

Season  1898-99 106  20  71  47  59  30.18 


Mean 

Rninffll 

Temp. 

73° 

0.00 

64 

0.07 

71 

0.00 

53 

5.86 

48 

5.81 

42 

7.45 

42 

2.37 

42 

2.15 

48 

4.37 

46 

3.57 

54 

1.83 

62 

0.06 

54 

33.54 

71 

0.00 

68 

0.00 

63 

0.41 

56 

2.74 

53 

8.32 

42 

2.24 

42 

7.13 

45 

11.24 

49 

2.58 

52 

3.82 

57 

1.18 

66 

0.08 

THE   FOOTHILL   SUBSTATION — CLIMATE. 

Temperature  and  Rainfall — Continued. 

Mrmfb  Max.  Min.        Mean  Max.  MeanMin. 

luomn.  Temp.  Temp.  Temp.  Temp. 

1899— J  uly 96°  50°  86°  60° 

August 84  44  78  51 

September 90  42  82  59 

October 82  30  62  44 

November... 62  34  55  41 

December 58  24  49  35 

1900— January.. _.  58  28  48  37 

February. 58  30  48  37 

March 64  32  55  41 

April 66  32  53  39 

May 74  36  64  45 

June 82  42  72  52 

Season  1899-1900 96  24  63  45 

1900-July 94  50  83  60 

August 96  48  80  56 

September 88  42  77  48 

October  80  32  67  45 

November... 76  34  62  44 

December _.  66  20  50  33 

1901— January 62  20  50  33 

February _.  68  22  54  35 

March. 70  26  60  38 

April 72  24  65  39 

May 84  32  70  44 

June.... 97  38  82  51 

Season  1900-01 ....  97  20  67  44  55  39.74 

All  these  annual  rainfalls  are  below  the  high  average  of  the  seven 
years  before  1897,  but  are  higher  than  for  several  previous  years.  The 
light  and  generally  sloping  and  shallow  soils  of  the  foothills  require  a 
large  rainfall  to  produce  fair  crops.  Only  once,  in  1897-8,  has  the 
total  rainfall  of  the  season  fallen  below  20  inches  since  the  substation 
was  established. 

Frosts,  and  Frostless  Locations. — As  the  above  table  shows,  the  mini- 
mum in  these  three  years  has  been  20°  Fahr.,  which  occurred  in  Febru- 
ary, 1899,  December,  1900,  and  January,  1901.  The  lowest  recorded 
temperature  at  the  station  since  1889  was  16°  Fahr.,  but  this  was  at 
the  ditch,  the  lowest  point  on  the  tract.  The  climate  is  an  excellent 
one,  well  adapted  to  olives,  figs,  and,  with  care  in  choosing  places  in 
which  to  plant,  to  oranges.  On  the  station  tract,  which  varies  168 
feet  in  elevation  from  the  ditch  to  the  top  of  the  highest  hill,  there  is  a 
variation  of  from  4°  to  6°  Fahr.  The  climate  varies  very  much  accord- 
ing to  elevation,  exposure,  and  air  currents,  in  all  the  surrounding 
region.  There  are  many  "early  spots"  being  found  and  utilized  by  gar- 
deners and  fruit-growers,  greatly  to  their  profit,  in  this  region,  and  the 
importance  of  location  is  nowhere  more  evident  than  here. 

A  change  of  less  than  200  feet  in  the  location  of  the  small  orange 
grove  at  the  substation  has  materially  improved  the  prospects  of  success 
with  this  fruit.  Instances  of  this  sort  abound  in  the  foothill  country. 
A  temperature  of  20°  Fahr.  has  not  injured  the  orange  trees  here. 

THE  ORCHARD. 

The  previous  report  covered  crops  for  the  season  of  1899.  Several 
important  problems  are  presented  in  the  orchard  which  only  time, 
patience,  and  careful  observation  can  work  out  for  this  district.  Atten- 
tion will  be  called  to  these  under  the  separate  subheads. 


10  UNIVERSITY    OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT    STATION. 

POME    FRUITS. 

Apples. — This  standard  fruit  has  been  given  much  care  here,  and  the 
young  orchards  promise  to  be  very  valuable  to  this  region.  In  1899,  the 
apple  crop  was  fair,  and  twenty-four  varieties  fruited.  In  1900,  only  four 
varieties  fruited,  and  some  of  these  dropped  their  fruit.  Two  varieties, 
Wolf  River  on  slate  soil  and  McMahon's  White  on  granite  soil,  both 
early  fall  apples  here,  bore  good  crops.  Clayton,  on  granite  soil,  was 
the  only  late-keeping  variety  to  mature  a  crop.  Transcendent  Crab 
bore  a  large  crop. 

In  1901  the  apple  crop  was  chiefly  borne  by  ten  varieties,  as  shown  in 
the  following  table: 

Best  Apples  in  1901. 
Variety.  When  Ripe.       in  g™Pjds> 

Hawthornden ..  Aug.    7  107 

Violet "        9  25 

Wealthy "      10  38 

Wolf  River  "      20  24 

Acme  Sept.  20  20 

Lady.     "      30  25 

Missouri  Pippin Oct.    10  69 

Arkansas  Black _ "      10  26 

Ingram.   Nov.  15  20 

Hyslop  Crab _.. Aug.  14  35 

There  were  many  varieties  of  apples-that  bore  a  few  pounds  of  fruit. 
In  most  cases  the  size  was  small.  Gloria  Mundi  apples  averaged  a 
pound  each  ;  Wolf  River,  nine  ounces.  In  quality,  Violet,  Wolf  River, 
Missouri  Pippin,  Arkansas  Black,  and  Ingram  were  good;  Acme  was 
distinctly  poor. 

The  problem  in  the  case  of  apples  is  evident  here.  They  do  not  bear 
as  well  as  they  should.  At  about  this  elevation,  1,500  to  2,000  feet, 
there  is  considerable  complaint  that  apples  are  shy  bearers.  The  cause 
does  not  appear  to  be  lack  of  moisture  as  a  rule,  for  the  trees  make  fair 
growth,  and  have  healthy  leaves.  Deficient  or  weak  pollination  may 
be  the  reason  in  some  cases.  The  dropping  of  immature  fruit  offers 
more  difficulty.  As  the  new  orchards  on  different  soils  and  expos- 
ures come  to  bearing  age,  this  trouble  can  be  more  carefully  investi- 
gated. It  first  appeared  to  any  extent  after  the  dry  season  of  1897-8, 
which  doubtless  had  much  to  do  with  the  present  difficulty.  It  was 
less  in  1899,  but  greater  in  1900  and  1901.  Successful  apple  culture  for 
market  in  this  district  depends  on  conquering  this  weakness  in  respect 
to  bearing.  Higher  up,  between  3,500  and  4,000  feet,  the  apple  bears  as 
well  as  possible. 

Pears. — This  fruit  promises  excellent  returns  in  this  district,  on  suit- 
able soil.  Old  trees  on  bottom  lands  near  the  creeks  are  of  great  size, 
and  though  unpruned  and  untilled,  often  bear  large  crops.  The  success 
of  pears,  if  unirrigated,  on  the  hill  slopes  depends  on  soil  and  culture. 
The  original  selection  of  very  poor,  thin,  slaty  soil  near  the  entrance  to 
the  substation  was  a  mistake,  as  none  of  those  trees  have  thriven.  The 
young  pear  orchard  is  on  better  soil.  The  pears  on  the  mixed  granite 
and  slate  soil  have  done  fairly  well. 

In  1900,  eight  varieties  of  pears  bore  fair  crops,  namely,  Doyenne 
d'Alengon,  Keiffer,  P.  Barry,  Duchesse  d'Angouleme,  Howell,  Josephine 
de  Malines,  LeConte,  and  Mount  Vernon.     In  1901,  the  bearing  varie- 


THK    FOOTHILL    SUBSTATION — THE    ORCHARD. 


11 


ties  were  Bartlett,  Columbia,  Dr.  Reeder,  Keiffer,  Nouveau  Poitou,  and 
P.  Barry.  A  few  fruits  were  borne  by  twelve  other  varieties  besides 
these.  The  quality  of  the  fruit  was  from  fair  to  excellent.  Dr.  Reeder, 
a  small,  Seckel-like  pear,  was  of  the  best  quality.  Bartletts  were  also 
first-rate,  and  Keiffer  better  than  as  ordinarily  grown  in  the  valleys. 


P.  Barry's  keeping  qualities  were  notable.  Few  conclusions  respecting 
the  failures  of  any  other  varieties  can  be  drawn  until  the  young  orchard 
on  better  soil  is  in  bearing. 

Quinces. — There  have  been  but  few  reports  from  this  locality  upon 
quinces.     One  rarely  sees  quinces  in  the  old  gardens,  and  then  finds 


12  UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT   STATION. 

them  utterly  neglected  and  usually  pastured  down  by  cattle,  as  often 
are  apples  and  pears,  into  the  condition  of  low,  thorny  shrubs.  The 
quinces  were  set  in  1889-90,  on  very  light  and  rocky  soil  at  the  lower 
end  of  the  pear  orchard.  Here  even  the  olives  are  stunted.  The  four 
varieties — Rea's  Mammoth,  Angers,  Orange,  and  Chinese — tested,  have 
borne  a  few  fruits  for  five  years  past  and  are  improving  in  health  and 
vigor.  In  1901,  the  largest  crop,  24  pounds,  was  on  Rea's  Mammoth; 
Chinese  yielded  12  pounds. 

Japanese  Persimmons. — Previous  reports  have  shown*  the  entire  adap- 
tation of  this  fruit  to  the  slate  soil  of  the  region.  The  trees  are  in  much 
better  and  deeper  soil  than  are  the  first  plantings  of  pears  and  quinces. 
They  bear  very  large  crops,  often  all  that  the  trees  will  carry,  and  are 
one  of  the  most  uniformly  successful  fruit  crops  at  the  substation.  The 
persimmon  attracts  much  attention,  but  its  uses  are  less  general  than  in 
the  case  of  other  fruits. 

STONE   FRUITS. 

Almonds. — Previous  reports  have  been  decidedly  against  the  success  of 
this  crop  here,  but  the  season  of  1900  showed  that  when  the  late  spring 
frosts  are  absent,  the  trees,  now  large  and  healthy,  will  give  good  returns. 
In  those  localities  where  the  blossoms  can  be  reasonably  expected  to 
escape — and  such  places  exist  here  and  there  about  this  district — the 
almond  can  be  made  a  paying  crop,  as  the  quality  is  unsurpassed. 

In  1900,  the  blooming  season  ranged  from  January  15th  to  March  3d; 
Commercial  and  Harriott's  Seedling  being  the  earliest,  and  Golden  State 
and  Texas  Prolific  the  latest.  Late  bloomers  are  preferable  here,  but 
Drake's  Seedling  and  the  old  Languedoc,  blooming  quite  late,  are  better 
bearers  than  the  Golden  State  or  Texas  Prolific.  The  earliest  to  ripen 
are  King's  Softshell,  Marie  Duprey,  and  Nonpareil  (July  28th);  Texas 
Prolific,  the  latest,  ripened  August  24th.  By  ripening  is  meant  the 
opening  of  the  hull  on  the  trees.  The  best  bearers  yielded  from  14  to  40 
pounds  of  hulled  nuts  per  tree — the  latter  crop  being  that  of  Drake's 
Seedling. 

In  1901,  the  spring  frosts  destroyed  all  the  almond  blossoms. 

Reviewing  five  years,  Languedoc  and  Drake's  Seedling  yielded  well  in 
1897,  1899,  and  1900,  but  were  frosted  in  189S  and  1901. 

Apricots,  whose  history  at  the  substations  resembles  somewhat  that  of 
the  almonds,  throve  in  1900,  when  the  crop  averaged  50  pounds  to  the 
tree,  large  and  small.  Montgamet,  Beauge,  and  Oullin's  Early  yielded 
90,  100,  and  80  pounds,  respectively;  while  Moorpark  and  De  Coulorge 
yielded  75  pounds  each.  The  largest  fruit  on  the  substation  is  that  of 
Montgamet. 

Sardinian  began  to  ripen  June  13th;  Oullin's,  June  20th;  Montgamet 
and  Royal,  June  25th;  Moorpark,  June  30th. 

The  spring  frosts  of  1901  destroyed  the  blossoms.  As  with  the  almonds, 
two  years  out  of  five  the  crop  has  been  a  failure  in  this  location. 

Nectarines. — The  crop  failed  in  1901,  owing  to  frosts;  but  in  1900  it 
was  fair.  The  season  began  August  1st  with  New  White,  and  ended 
August  30th  with  Victoria.  The  nectarine  seems  more  easily  frosted 
than  the  peach,  and  more  resembles  the  apricot  in  this  respect.  It  is 
usual  to  speak  of  the  nectarine  as  thriving  wherever  the  peach  does,  but 
this  appears  doubtful  after  the  substation  experience. 


THE   FOOTHILL   SUBSTATION — THE    ORCHARD.  13 

Peaches. — This  is  everywhere  one  of  the  most  important  of  the  foothill 
crops,  and  there  is  much  land  well  adapted  to  its  growth.  In  1900,  the 
flowering  season  began  from  February  25th  to  March  7th  in  different 
varieties,  and  lasted  about  ten  days.  The  ripening  period,  that  is,  from 
first  ripe  to  fully  ripe,  lasts  from  five  to  ten  days. 

The  collection  of  varieties  is  now  so  great  at  the  substation  that  we  list 
only  the  best — those  of  high  quality  and  bearing  40  pounds  and  upward 
per  tree.     They  are  arranged  in  order  of  ripening. 

Best  Peaches  in  1900. 
Variety.  Ripening  Period.       in  g££dg> 

Schumaker .. _ June22  to  June  28  45 

Governor  Garland "    23  "      "      30  45 

Ulatis "    24  "July     3  50 

Early  Rivers July    8  "     "      15  70 

California  Cling Aug.    8  "   Aug.  19  40 

Newhall.. "      11  "       "     18  45 

Nichol's  Orange  Cling "      19  "     "      29  40 

Newington  Cling... "      22  "     "      29  75 

Columbia ..  "      29  "Sept.    6  70 

Smock's  Late  Free _ Sept.    4  "     "      10  60 

Beer's  Smock "       5  "      "      10  60 

Henrietta "      10  "      '      18  75 

Salway "      10  "     "      16  100 

Wager "      15  "      "      22  60 

The  peach  crop  in  1901  was  not  so  heavy  as  in  1900,  for  all  varieties 
suffered  from  frost,  but  it  was  a  fair  one.  The  early  peaches,  such  as 
Alexander,  Governor  Garland,  etc.,  suffered  from  depredations  of 
thieves,  and  no  exact  record  w  as  possible.  The  bloom-period  lasted 
from  March  1st  to  March  10th.  Excluding  the  small  early  varieties, 
the  following  table  shows  the  results: 

Best  Peaches  in  1901. 

Variety.  Rip< 

Large  Early  York _ Aug. 

Honey  Cling " 

Elberta 

Newhall _ " 

Mrs.  Brett " 

Muir.. 

Morris  White... Sept. 

Newington  Cling _ " 

Columbia _ " 

Lemon  Free.. " 

Wilkins' Cling _ •' 

Salway " 

Beer'sSmock " 

Crimson  Beauty.. " 

Garey's  Hold-on " 

Henrietta " 

Henrietta  No.  2 " 

Wager ._ _ " 

The  most  reliable  " general  crop"  varieties  in  1900  and  1901  were, 
named  in  order  of  ripening,  Newhall,  Newington  Cling,  Columbia, 
Salway,  Beer's  Smock,  Henrietta,  and  Wager.  One  may  add  to  this 
list  for  very  early  varieties,  Governor  Garland,  Briggs'  May,  or  Alex- 
ander, as  preferred;  we  can  also  add  Honey  Cling  for  quality,  and  Morris 
White  or  Mountain  Rose  for  a  good,  late  white  freestone.  Henrietta,  a 
fine  late  cling,  is  increasingly  popular  in  the  foothill  region  for  canning, 
and  Salway  and  Wager  are  standard  freestones  for  the  same  purpose. 


ening 

Period. 

Crop, 
in  Pounds, 

3  to 

Aug.  9 

45 

20  " 

"   24 

44 

21  " 

"  30 

52 

26  " 

"  30 

54 

28  " 

"  30 

97 

28  " 

Sept.  2 

41 

2  " 

"   10 

104 

T   (I 

"   10 

86 

9  " 

"   12 

60 

10  " 

11  20 

65 

11  " 

"   15 

52 

15  " 

"  27 

58 

15  " 

"  20 

113 

18  " 

"  27 

43 

18 

119 

21  " 

"  28 

72 

25  " 

"  30 

155 

25  " 

Oct.  2 

143 

14  UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT    STATION. 

Wager,  at  the  Foothill  station  has  always  ripened  about  a  month  later 
than  Muir,  and  seems  to  be  a  better  bearer. 

In  size,  the  peaches,  with  sufficient  thinning,  are  fair,  though  not 
large.  Henrietta  and  Wager  maintain  their  normal  size  better  than 
most  other  varieties  do.  A  large  number  of  well-known  varieties,  after 
years  of  testing,  fail  to  grow  and  bear  here  as  well  as  do  the  varieties 
listed  and  described  above.  With  good  cultivation  and  thinning,  the 
peach  trees  have  been  healthy,  and  have  borne  high-class  fruit  for  three 
years  past,  without  irrigation,  on  either  the  slate  or  the  granite  soils. 
About  one  hundred  and  fifty  varieties  of  peaches  have  been  tested  at 
this  substation  since  its  establishment. 

Plums  and  Prunes. — The  culture  of  plums  and  prunes  in  this  district 
presents  some  especial  difficulties.  Every  class  of  these  fruits  has  been 
tested  extensively  on  both  slate  and  granite  soils,  with  varying  success, 
under  different  methods  of  pruning  and  culture,  irrigated  and  unirri- 
gated. 

Nevertheless,  the  value  of  plums  and  prunes  in  this  locality  remains 
as  yet  an  undetermined  problem.  In  1899,  1900,  and  1901  about  fifty- 
five  varieties  were  in  bearing  here;  but  out  of  all  of  these  only  a  few 
yielded  more  than  20  pounds  per  tree. 

There  are  not  many  European  plums  which  yield  well  or  maintain  a 
healthy  growth  here.  Making  every  reasonable  allowance  for  differ- 
ences of  soil  and  location,  the  Japanese  plums,  a  few  of  the  prunes,  and 
two  or  three  European  plums  appear  to  be  all  that  have  succeeded  at 
this  substation.  The  Japanese  plums  bloom  so  early  that  they  are  sub- 
ject to  frost.  The  few  American  plums  planted  here  have  not  yet  had 
thorough  trial,  but  a  complete  collection  of  the  Americans  and  crosses 
of  Japanese  are  indicated  by  the  situation.  All  the  plums  do  better  on 
slate  soil  than  on  the  granite. 

The  following  tabulation  shows  those  varieties  which  came  nearest  to 

success  here: 

Best  Plums  and  Prunes  in  1900. 

Variety. 

Burbank  ---   — — -   •  -• 

Botan - —  ■ 

Chabot - - --- 

Kelsey -- ---- 

Pond's  Seedling  (Hungarian  Prune) 

Victoria 

Prune  d'Agen  ( French) 

D'Ente  de  Puymirol 


Ripening  Period. 

July  23  to  Aug.  7 

Aug.  3  "   "   10 

"   17  "   "  30 

Crop, 

in  Pounds. 

150 

45 

40 

30 

Aug.  17  to  Aug.  27 
8  "   "   16 

.<   18  «   «   2* 

"   24  "   "   31 

25 
30 
25 
25 

The  above  list  includes  four  Japanese  and  two  European  plums,  also 
two  prunes.  Some  crops  were  borne  by  Coe's  Golden  Drop  and  Robe  de 
Sergent  prunes. 

In  1901,  the  varieties  bearing  well  were  as  follows: 

Best  Plums  and  Prunes  in  1901. 

Variety.                                                     Ripening  Period.  in  p™P'ds- 

Burbank... ------ ----         Aug.    4  to  Aug.  10  72 

Kelsey             ..     -^ Sept.    1"  Sept.  10  18 

Pond's  Seedling ---         Aug.  24  "      »•        3  50 

Victoria ----            "     27"      "        4  40 

Columbia.. -    "     21"      "        1  60 

McLaughlin - --            "       2  "   Aug.  12  25 

Grand  Duke    Sept.   5"   Sept.  15  40 

Prince  of  Wales - Aug.  12  u  Aug.  21  25 

Pruned'Agen ---        Sept.  15  "      "      25  63 


THE    FOOTHILL    SUBSTATION — THE    ORCHARD.  15 

In  both  these  years,  as  in  1899,  Burbank,  Kelsey,  Pond's  Seedling, 
Victoria,  and  Prune  d'Agen  were  among  the  list  and  were  of  very  fine 
quality.  The  breakdown  of  European  varieties  here  occurred  between 
1893  and  1897,  during  which  years  failures  in  bearing  were  general"  in 
plums  of  this  class.  Prunes  also  did  poorly,  but  are  now  thriving  much 
better  than  before.  The  plums  and  prunes  present  one  of  the  most 
interesting  of  the  many  practical  problems  connected  with  this  substa- 
tion. Old  and  healthy  plum  trees  are  extremely  scarce  in  the  pioneer 
gardens  of  this  region.  Some  good  Petite  d'Agen  prune  orchards  are 
found  in  the  neighborhood. 

Cherries. — Previous  reports  on  the  gum  disease  and  the  failure  of 
cherry  trees  at  this  altitude  are  still  in  the  main  true,  but  the  three  years, 
1899-1901,  show  some  improvement,  as  there  has  been  more  rainfall  and 
less  frost  and  the  trees  are  stronger.  The  season  in  1900  was  from  May 
1st  to  June  loth  for  first  ripening;  in  1901,  it  was  from  May  5th  to  June 
loth.  Belle  d'Orleans  ripened  both  years  long  before  Early  Purple 
Guigne,  a  curious  illustration  of  the  vagaries  of  climate.  Royal  Ann 
was  one  of  the  latest.  The  best  bearers  in  1900  in  red  soil  were  Early 
Purple  Guigne,  60  pounds;  Bauman's  May,  75  pounds;  Coe's  Trans- 
parent, 60  pounds;  Napoleon  Bigarreau,  65  pounds;  and  Belle  d'Orleans, 
40  pounds. 

In  1901  the  crop  was  smaller  than  in  1900,  owing  to  late  frosts.  Many 
new  varieties  have  not  yet  come  into  bearing.  Some  of  them  are  entirely 
free  from  gum  disease.  The  cherry  is  not  largely  planted  in  this  region. 
A  little  lower  down  it  does  very  well.  At  Sutter  Creek,  cherries  ripen 
extremely  early,  and  would  probably  command  a  good  market  on  that 
account. 

SEMI-TROPIC    FRUITS. 

The  Fig. — There  is  no  more  promising  fruit  here  than  the  fig.  The 
avenue  planted  around  Reservoir  Hill  when  the  station  was  established 
has  thriven,  and  has  very  seldom  suffered  from  frost  or  drought.  In 
some  important  particulars  this  substation  is  the  best  one  in  California, 
and  probably  in  the  United  States,  for  tests  of  figs.  At  Tulare  many 
sorts  are  often  frosted;  Paso  Robles  is  altogether  too  cold  for  the  fig;  at 
Pomona  a  great  many  varieties  are  subject  to  "fig  sour." 

Previous  reports  have  listed  the  varieties  being  tested  at  this  sub- 
station. In  the  spring  of  1901  a  new  collection,  including  varieties  of 
Capri  and  Smyrna,  donated  by  Mr.  George  Roeding  of  Fresno,  was 
planted  here,  and  other  new  varieties  are  in  the  nursery,  so  that  with 
the  large  Capri  fig  of  the  original  importation,  the  breeding  of  the  fig 
wasp  can  soon  be  undertaken. 

In  1900,  Black  Marseilles,  Brown  Ischia,  Gros  Gris  Bifere,  and 
Monaca  Bianca  bore  an  early  crop.  Main,  or  summer,  crops  were  borne 
by  Black  Marseilles,  De  Constantine,  Doree  Narbus,  Monaca  Bianca, 
Agen,  and  White  Adriatic.  The  last  named,  until  the  Smyrna  types 
can  be  fructified,  remains  the  best  drying  fig  here. 

In  1901,  Breba,  which  often  needs  fertilization,  bore  an  early  crop; 
so  did  Petrovaca  and  Pastiliere.  Good  summer  or  main  crops  were 
borne  by  Abondance  Precoce,  Agen,  Black  Marseilles,  Bourjassotte  Grise, 
Cernica,  Col  di  Signora  Nero,  Dalmatino,  De  Constantine,  Doree  Narbus, 
Early  Violet,  Kargigna,  Monaca  Bianca,  Pastiliere,  Ronde  Noire,  White 


16 


UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT   STATION. 


Adriatic,  White  Genoa,  White  Ischia,  and  White  Marseilles.  These 
varieties  bearing  in  1900  and  1901  have  generally  proved  the  most 
reliable  here. 

Olives.— The  crop  of  1900  was  the  best  ever  known  at  the  substation, 
and  more  varieties  bore  than  in  any  previous  year.  This  location  is  an 
excellent  one  for  the  olive;  the  trees  are  healthier  and  bear  better  than 
at  any  other  substation.  The  avenues  here,  begun  in  1889,  and  since 
extended,  are  well  worth  the  study  of  every  land-owner  in  the  Sierra 
foothill  region.  Notes  upon  the  frost-endurance  of  olives  here  and  else- 
where appear  in  a  separate  article. 

In  1900  the  olive  trees  blossomed,  according  to  variety,  between  May 
17th  and  Jane  5th.  The  following  table  shows  results  where  crop  was 
10  pounds  or  more: 

The  Olives  in  1900. 


Variety. 


Soil. 


Amellau  Amygdalina _ ...Granite 

Atrorubens Slate 

Atroviolacea  No.  1  ..,._ _.  ..Slate 

Atroviolacea  No.  2_ Slate 

Atroviolacea  No.  3 _ Granite 

Caillon  Rubra Granite 

Columbella Red 

Corregiolo Granite 

Lavagnino Red 

Leccino  ... Granite 

Lucques _ — Red ... 

Macrocarpa Red 

Manzanillo Red 

Manzanillo  No.  2 Red 

Manzanillo  No.  3... Granite 

Mission Red 

Mission  No.  2. Granite 

Mission  No.  3. _ Granite 

Nevadillo  Blanco _ Red 

Nevadillo  Blanco ...Granite 

Nigerina ...Red 

Nigerina  No.  2 Granite 

Oblonga Red 

Pendulina. _ Granite 

Polymorpha ..Red 

Polymorpha  No.  2 _    Granite 

Prsecox Red 

Razzo ..Red  _ 

Regalis Red 

Regalis  No.  2... Granite 

Rufa _ Red 

Salonica . .Red 

Uvaria  _   Red 

Redding  Picholine 

Redding  Picholine ...Granite 


il  in  Fruit. 

Crop, 
in  Pounds. 

Nov.  14 

30 

"  20 

45 

5 

35 

"   5 

70 

6 

27 

"   5 

18 

65 

Nov.  17 

26 

6 

35 

4 

5 

"   15 

70 

.i   4 

55 

7 

50 

"   7 

35 

"   9 

11 

heavy 

Nov.  10 

10 

"   15 

11 

7 

30 

"   6 

11 

8 

15 

"   7 

35 

"   4 

27 

"   5 

23 

2 

11 

"   3 

23 

1 

28 

"   6 

16 

55 

Nov.  10 

11 

"   3 

40 

80 

Nov.  1 

45 

"   4 

60 

"   6 

45 

Some  of  these  yields  are  remarkable,  such  as  that  of  Atroviolacea, 
Columbella,  and  Salonica.  The  yields  of  10  and  11  pounds  per  tree 
come,  in  most  cases,  from  younger  trees  than  those  of  the  main  avenue. 

Olives  in  1901. — The  bloom  period  of  the  olives  in  1901  was  between 
May  21st  and  June  10th.  The  hot  dry  winds  of  the  late  spring  and 
early  summer  injured  the  blossoms,  or  the  yield  would  have  been,  as  a 
whole,  fully  equal  to  that  of  1900.  The  pickling  varieties  which  best 
withstood  the  winds  were  Macrocarpa  and  Mission  No.  1  on  the  slate 
soil,  and  Polyantha  on  the  granite.  (There  is  no  bearing  Macrocarpa 
on  the  granite;  the  Missions  usually  do  best  on  the  slate  soils.)     The 


THE   FOOTHILL    SUBSTATION — THE   ORCHARD.  17 

best  oil-producing  varieties  were,  on  the  slate  soil,  Atroviolacea,  Uvaria, 
and  Lucques;  while  Pendulina  and  Caillon  Rubra  did  best  on  the  granite. 

The  crops  yielded  by  the  fifteen  best  bearing  trees  were  as  follows  (in 
pounds) :  Mission  No.  1,  78 ;  Macrocarpa,  69  ;  Atroviolacea,  57  ;  Uvaria, 
56 ;  Redding  Picholine,  46 ;  Lucques,  38  ;  Atrorubens,  36 ;  Manzanillo, 
31i;  Polymorpha,  28;  Prsecox,  24;  Razzo,  22;  Oblonga  and  Caillon 
Rubra,  20  each ;  Rufa  and  Regalis,  18  each. 

The  foreman  makes  the  just  observation  that  Manzanillo  "  appears 
to  be  the  best  all-round  olive  here,"  having  a  fair  crop  every  year,  but 
doing  best  on  the  slate  soil,  as  would  be  expected.  Uvaria  and  Atro- 
violacea are  to  be  recommended  among  the  oil  varieties,  and  Manzanillo 
and  Mission  among  the  larger  sorts,  used  for  pickling  as  well  as  for  oil. 
The  substation  has  for  several  years  recommended  these  four  varieties 
to  planters  here,  and  a  great  many  trees  have  been  set  out,  chiefly  by 
the  thrifty  Italian  land-owners. 

Redding  Picholine,  besides  being  small  and  poor,  bears  very  unevenly ; 
some  trees  have  no  crop  at  all,  while  others  are  overloaded  ;  it  is  not 
to  be  recommended.  Mission  No.  1  and  No.  2,  sent  to  the  substation  in 
1889  by  the  late  Mr.  Klee,  then  Inspector,  differ  little  from  each  other. 
Though  one  was  thought  to  be  much  earlier  in  point  of  ripening,  it  has 
practically  lost  this  advantage  as  the  tree  became  older. 

The  manufacture  of  olive  oil  on  a  small  scale  has  been  carried  on  for 
two  seasons,  the  machinery  required  being  paid  for  by  the  surplus  oil 
produced,  and  excellent  samples  of  leading  sorts  and  of  blends  being 
sent  to  the  Central  station  and  placed  on  exhibition. 

Walnuts. — The  quality  of  the  walnuts  grown  here  is  notably  high. 
The  size  of  the  nuts  is  not  large.  The  trees  do  not  always  bear  well, 
and  so  the  exact  place  of  this  valuable  crop  in  foothill  orchards  must  be 
determined  by  further  observations.  Bijou  bore  40  pounds  in  1900  and 
24  pounds  in  1901.  Santa  Barbara  Softshell  yielded  20  pounds  in  1900 
and  48  pounds  in  1901;  Dwarf  Prolific  bore  19  pounds  in  1900  and  34 
pounds  in  1901.  Chaberte  and  Serotina  are  practically  failures  as 
regards  bearing.  Franquette,  Vourey,  and  some  other  grafted  trees  of 
the  best  French  varieties  do  not  yet  bear  well. 

The  walnut,  like  the  chestnut,  merits  long  and  careful  experiments 
here,  as  both  crops  promise  to  be  valuable.  Though  often  shy  bearers,  so 
much  depends  upon  the  variety,  location,  and  treatment,  that. the  culture 
of  both  walnuts  and  chestnuts  is  difficult.  The  shrewd  and  careful 
Italians  of  Amador  and  adjacent  counties  who  have  had  much  experi- 
ence in  vineyards,  are  taking  up  olive  culture  and  are  showing  interest 
in  walnuts  and  chestnuts,  as  they  also  will  in  figs;  so  that  a  distinctive 
semi-tropic  horticulture  is  being  slowly  developed  here. 

SMALL    FRUITS. 

The  collections  of  small  fruits  here  are  large,  and  plants  have  been 
widely  distributed  in  the  district.  Blackberries,  raspberries,  gooseber- 
ries, currants,  strawberries,  and  other  small  fruits  have  received  thorough 
tests.  All  require  irrigation  here.  The  common  local  method  of  apply- 
ing water  is  wasteful,  and  false  in  principle,  as  it  is  simply  run  in  shal- 
low, open  furrows  at  short  intervals  and  no  cultivation  follows.  Much 
less  water,  at  longer  intervals,  with  thorough  subsequent  culture,  pro- 

2 


18  UNIVERSITY    OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT   STATION. 

duces  better  results  at  less  cost.  Strawberries,  raspberries,  and  black- 
berries are  excellent  here  and  easily  produced.  Currants  suffer  from 
sunburn,  needing  protection.  Some  gooseberries,  notably  the  Oregon 
Champion,  have  done  very  well. 

Blackberries. — Erie  begins  to  blossom  here  about  the  end  of  April,  and 
continues  until  early  in  June,  grows  well  and  bears  heavily,  ripening 
fruit  from  June  20th  through  July.  Crandall  has  grown  well,  but  is  not, 
so  far,  much  of  a  bearer.  Ole  Bull  began  to  blossom  about  the  middle 
of  April,  ripened  from  June  13th  to  July  18th  (in  1900),  crop  medium, 
berries  small.  Early  Harvest  ripened  fruit  June  6th — not  a  striking 
growth.  Kittatinny  began  to  ripen  June  18th,  continuing  to  August; 
berries  large,  a  good  grower.  Minniwasky,  a  berry  received  from  El 
Dorado  County  under  this  name,  ripened  from  June  21st  to  August,  and 
yielded  well.  Cosumnes,  a  native  Californian  blackberry  from  the  Sacra- 
mento Valley  and  a  valuable  stock  for  further  crosses,  began  to  bloom 
early  in  April,  ripening  fruit  from  June  16th  to  July  25th;  quality  high. 

The  Lucretia  dewberry  is  excellent  here.  It  requires  a  low  trellis, 
either  flat  or  upright.  Ripened  from  June  7th  until  nearly  August,  1900. 
All  of  the  dewberries  suit  the  district,  and  are  a  useful,  hardy  fruit, 
closely  allied  to  the  blackberry. 

Raspberries. — Hurlbert  usually  blooms  early  in  May,  and  bears  well. 
Mammoth  Cluster  has  bloomed  April  20th,  and  ripened  fruit  June  11th. 
Golden  Queen,  French,  Hudson  River,  Surprise,  Marlboro,  and  Gladstone 
bloom  about  the  same  time,  and  begin  to  ripen  within  two  or  three  days 
of  the  same  date — about  June  10th.  All  are  excellent  in  quality.  Many 
other  sorts  have  been  tested,  but  none  are  better  than  these. 

Other  Berries. — The  Loganberry  blooms  here  about  the  middle  of 
April,  and  begins  to  ripen  about  June  1st.  It  is  a  very  heavy  bearer 
when  trellised,  and  should  be  generally  planted  in  the  foothills. 

The  "  Japanese  Wineberry"  is  a  strong  grower  and  heavy  bearer,  but 
has  no  practical  value. 

The  "  Coralberry,"  "  Muskberry,"  and  "  Mayberry,"  received  from  S.  L. 
"Watkins  of  Grizzly  Flat,  El  Dorado  County,  have  blossomed,  but 
set  few  and  worthless  fruits.  Like  the  "Wineberry,"  they  should  be 
discarded  from  the  list. 

THE    VINEYARD. 

An  important  part  of  the  substation  is  the  large  vineyard,  on  both 
slate  and  granite  soils,  containing  one  hundred  and  fifty  varieties  of 
table  and  wine  grapes.  The  local  demand  for  cuttings  of  wine  grapes  is 
at  present  confined  to  those  varieties  which  bear  large  crops.  A  good 
deal  of  wine  is  made  for  the  local  market,  but  very  little  finds  its  way 
elsewhere,  and  quantity  is  the  main  thing  with  all  growers  in  this  region. 
As  transportation  facilities  improve,  the  making  of  better  wines  will 
attract  more  attention,  and  the  fine  collection  of  varieties  at  the  sub- 
station will  be  more  generally  drawn  upon. 

The  bearing  quality  of  some  varieties  has  improved  with  age  and 
with  changes  in  method  of  pruning.  The  foreman,  Mr.  J.  H.  Barber, 
furnishes  the  following  interesting  synopsis  of  his  observations  here, 
noting  in  parentheses  the  method  of  pruning  which  is  best: 


THE    FOOTHILL   SUBSTATION — THE    VINEYARD.  19 

Varieties  for  Dry  Red  Wine. — Aramon  (short  pruning),  Bastardo 
(half-long),  Carignane  (short),  Grenache  (short),  Mataro  (short),  Mon- 
deuse  (half-long),  Mourastel  (short),  Petit  Bouschet  (short),  Tinta  Val 
de  Pefias  (half -long).  Preference  for  quality  combined  with  bearing 
capacity  should  be  given  to  Aramon,  Carignane,  Mataro,  and  Tinta  Val 
de  Pefias.  Aramon  is  also  a  fine  table  grape  for  local  use,  and  Tinta 
Val  de  Pefias  a  very  acceptable  one. 

Varieties  for  Dry  White  Wine. — Burger  (short  pruning),  Sauvignon 
Vert  (short),  Semillon  (long). 

Varieties  for  Sweet  Wines. — Port  type:  Tinta  amarella  (half-long). 

Sherry  type:  Palomino,  or  Golden  Chasselas  (short  or  half-long), 
West's  White  Prolific  (short),  Boal  de  Madeira  (half-long),  Mantuo  de 
Pilas  (short),  Mourisco  branco  (short).  Preference  for  quality  is  given 
to  a  mixture  of  two  thirds  Palomino  and  one  third  Boal;  these  varieties 
ripen  at  the  same  time.  Palomino  is  a  very  acceptable  table  grape,  as  are 
also  Mantuo  de  Pilas,  Mourisco  branco,  and  Tinta  Amarella. 

Cuttings  of  table  grapes  are  in  great  demand,  and  the  range  of  varie- 
ties wanted  is  much  wider  than  in  the  case  of  wine  grapes.  A  succes- 
sion is  desired,  and  quality  counts  for  much.  The  substation,  modifying, 
as  experience  dictates,  previous  lists,  now  recommends  the  following 
table  grapes: 

White. — Luglienga  (July  grape),  Chasselas  de  Fontainebleau  (sweet- 
water),  Small  Muscatel  (Frontignan),  Palomino  (Golden  Chasselas), 
Muscat  of  Alexandria,  Huasco  (which  some  prefer  to  Muscat),  Mantuo 
de  Pilas,  White  Tokay,  Peruno,  Pizzutello  di  Roma,  Mourisco  branco, 
Napoleon,  Verdal,  and  Almeria. 

Red. — Barbarossa,  Flame  Tokay,  and  Zabalkanski. 

Black. — Tinta  Val  de  Pefias,  Cinsaut,  Aramon,  California  Black  Mal- 
voisie,  Tinta  Amarella,  Moscatello  fino  (Black  Muscatel,  a  light  bearer 
but  of  finest  quality),  Gros  Colman  (here  of  better  quality  than  in  the 
valley),  Black  Morocco,  and  Emperor. 

The  above  list  covers  a  season  here  of  from  July  25th  until  rains  and 
frosts  destroy  the  fruit,  usually  in  November.  Emperor  and  Almeria, 
picked  and  hung  in  a  cool  dry  place,  will  keep  until  nearly  Christmas. 

The  foreman  further  cuts  down  this  list  of  table  grapes,  for  home 
vineyards,  as  follows:  "A  good  selection  for  the  home  vineyard  would 
be  the  following:  Luglienga,  Aramon  or  Cinsaut,  Tinta  Val  de  Pefias, 
Palomino,  Huasco,  Mantuo  de  Pilas,  Gros  Colman,  Pizzutello  di  Roma, 
Flame  Tokay  or  Zabalkanski,  Verdal.  Of  these,  Luglienga,  Pizzutello, 
and  Zabalkanski  should  have  long  pruning;  Tinta  Val  de  Pefias  and 
Palomino,  short  or  half-long;  the  remainder,  short.  Luglienga  and 
Pizzutello  are  good  vines  for  arbors  or  trellises;  in  that  case  Pizzutello 
should  be  pruned  to  short  spurs  on  long  arms,  as  is  the  Mission  when 
grown  on  an  arbor." 

There  is  as  yet  no  demand  for  "shipping  grapes"  in  this  district,  but 
when  it  comes,  Flame  Tokay  will  not  be  useful,  as  it  bears  poorly. 
Emperor,  Mourisco  branco,  and  Almeria  promise  better.  There  is  only 
a  small  local  demand  for  raisin  grapes  here.  The  quality  is  excellent, 
and  the  varieties  planted  are  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  Huasco,  Thompson's 
Seedless,  and  Sultana.  Muscats  are  to  be  pruned  short;  the  seedless 
kinds  are  properly  pruned  long  or  half-long,  according  to  soil. 


20  UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT   STATION. 


TEST  PLOTS  AND  SMALL  CULTURES. 

At  no  substation  has  a  larger  range  of  cultures  received  trial  than  at 
Amador.  This  was  because  the  district  was  entirely  new,  and  no 
farmers  in  the  region  were  making  tests  of  anything,  but  continuing  to 
plant  only  a  few  staple  crops,  and  a  few  varieties  of  these.  Since  1889, 
therefore,  the  small  cultures  of  the  substation  have  been  of  much  local 
interest.  The  following  notes  cover  only  the  more  striking  results  of 
this  long-continued  work,  much  of  which  is  complete: 

Saltbushes. — The  experience  with  Atriplex  semibaccata  has  now  lasted 
four  years.  It  has  been  planted  in  the  field,  on  both  red  and  granite 
soils,  irrigated  and  non -irrigated,  cultivated  and  not  cultivated.  If 
protected  from  the  hares  and  squirrels,  which  are  numerous  and  very 
fond  of  this  plant,  it  grows,  but  no  better  than  some  other  forage  plants. 
It  does  not  hold  its  own  well  on  the  hillsides  with  other  plants,  but  its 
habit  of  early  winter  growth  gives  it  some  value  here.  It  has  done 
quite  well  on  granite  soil,  plants  here  covering  a  circle  of  two  feet  in 
diameter.  The  hairy  vetch  seems  much  better  adapted  to  this  region, 
and  is  more  easily  naturalized  in  the  pastures.  Sheep,  and  as  noted, 
wild  animals,  are  extremely  fond  of  the  saltbush — more  so  than  in  val- 
ley districts,  and  it  is  worth  growing  on  a  small  scale. 

Atriplex  leptocarpa  (a  trailing  species),  sown  March  19,  1900,  grew 
fifteen  to  twenty  inches  from  the  crown  that  season.  It  does  not 
naturalize  at  all  here. 

Rhagodia  spinescens  inermis  grows  very  large,  three  to  four  feet  high, 
furnishes  much  fodder,  and  if  started  in  boxes  and  transplanted  to  the 
rough  hillsides,  would  afford  much  forage  for  animals.  Its  power  of 
naturalization  has  yet  to  be  determined,  but  plants  do  not  seem  strong. 

Grasses  and  Clovers. — Bromus  inermis  (Hungarian  brome-grass)  has 
been  thoroughly  tested.  It  keeps  green  nearly  all  summer,  without  irriga- 
tion; should  be  sown  early — say  in  November.  Unless  irrigated,  the  growth 
on  either  slate  or  granite  soil  is  small — perhaps  three  or  four  inches  in 
height.  In  September  the  top  dies  down,  unless  given  water.  A  very 
little  irrigation  greatly  improves  it  and  lengthens  its  season.  This 
grass  appears  to  naturalize  itself  in  favorable  cases,  and  should  be 
extensively  sown. 

A  collection  of  ten  varieties  of  evergreen  and  perennial  rye-grasses 
from  Sutton  &  Co.,  England,  were  sown  in  March,  1900.  They  grew 
from  ten  to  twenty  inches  high,  and  were  cut  three  and  four  times  in  the 
season.  They  were  irrigated,  and  showed  great  value  for  small  fields 
under  ditch.  Grown  without  irrigation,  these  grasses  died  out  in  summer. 
One  of  the  best  was  the  "Selected  Perennial."  When  irrigated  on  red 
soil,  Sutton's  Perennial  Red  Clover  grew  to  fourteen  inches  in  height 
between  March  1st  and  June  1st,  1900.  It  was  thereafter  cut  three  times. 
Red  clover  is  a  promising  crop  in  this  region,  and  sometimes  grows  twenty 
inches  high  by  June  15th.  Sutton's  Giant  Hybrid  Clover,  Perennial 
White  Clover, "and  Yellow  Trefoil  were  also  grown,  but  only  the  first  of 
them  seems  worthy  of  further  trial. 

Common  White  Clover  (Trifolium  repens),  sown  November  23,  1899, 
on  granite  soil,  did  poorly;  on  red  soil  with  irrigation  it  did  well. 

Alsike,  or  Swedish  Clover  (Trifolium  hybridum),  is  a  very  promising 


THE   FOOTHILL    SUBSTATION — TEST    PLOTS   AND    SMALL    CULTURES.        21 

clover  for  this  region.  With  irrigation,  it  can  be  cut  three  times  in  a 
season,  and  has  kept  green  until  midsummer  on  granite  soil  without 
irrigation. 

Egyptian  Clover  ( Trifolium  Alexandrinum)  is  a  very  promising  crop. 
Seed  sown  November  23,  1899,  on  granite  soil,  without  irrigation,  grew 
sixteen  and  eighteen  inches  high  and  died  down.  An  irrigated  plot 
continued  green  all  summer,  started  from  the  roots  in  early  winter  of 
1901,  and  grew  until  midsummer.  Unless  irrigated,  this  clover  must 
be  resown  every  year;  if  irrigated,  it  will  furnish  very  early  pasturage. 

The  Common  Snail  Clover  (Trifolium  turbinatum)  has  been  grown 
here  for  ten  years.  It  covers  the  ground  early,  and  if  irrigated  can  be 
cut  three  times.  Without  irrigation,  it  begins  to  die  down  by  the  mid- 
dle of  June  or  first  of  July. 

Beets  and  Other  Field  Roots. — There  have  been  careful  tests  of  all  the 
leading  field  root  crops,  both  with  and  without  water,  and  on  both  gran- 
ite and  slate  soils.  These  tests  included  carrots,  parsnips,  beets,  turnips, 
etc.,  from  the  lists  of  Vilmorin,  Sutton,  Thorburn,  Burpee,  and  other 
seedsmen.  Early  sowing  is  in  all  cases  essential.  With  good  cultiva- 
tion, small  root  crops  can  be  had  on  slate  soil  without  irrigation.  With 
irrigation,  the  crops  are  strikingly  large.  Beets,  parsnips,  and  carrots 
do  very  well;  turnips  do  poorly  and  have  no  place  in  the  foothill  farm- 
er's rotation. 

The  great  value  of  root  crops  for  the  farmers  in  this  region  deserves 
special  emphasis.  In  the  case  of  mangels  from  the  best  obtainable 
seed,  Yellow  Globe,  with  irrigation,  yields  at  the  rate  of  30  tons  to  the 
acre;  Mammoth  Long  Red  at  the  rate  of  43-J  tons;  Champion  Yellow 
Globe  at  the  rate  of  72^  tons,  and  Red  Globe  at  the  rate  of  54  tons. 
Some  twenty  sorts  have  received  trial,  and  none  have  yielded  less  than 
30  tons  per  acre.  The  Improved  Kleinwanzleben  deserves  general  use 
in  this  region.  Irrigated  once,  and  allowed  to  grow  large  for  feeding, 
its  sugar  percentage  would  not  be  more  than  8  or  9,  but  that  is  con- 
siderably more  than  in  the  case  of  Danish  or  of  the  various  mangels. 

Field  parsnips  have  yielded  at  the  rate  of  40  tons  per  acre;  White 
Belgian  carrots  did  no  better.  There  is  need  of  more  experiments  with 
root  crops  in  regard  to  best  amount  of  seed  to  drill  per  acre,  and  many 
details;  experiments  until  now  have  been  with  small  plots.  No  fer- 
tilizers have  been  used. 

Jersey  Kale  has  been  sown  here  three  times.  It  grows  very  well  on 
both  granite  and  slate  soils,  and  needs  little  irrigation,  but  requires  pro- 
tection from  wild  animals.     A  useful  garden  crop  and  new  to  this  district. 

Tagasaste  has  grown  fairly  well  here,  but  failed  on  the  hilltop  when 
planted  out  to  take  care  of  itself;  hence,  it  is  useless  here. 

New  Siberian  Golden  Millet  has  been  grown  twice  here.  Sown  in 
November,  it  started  badly;  sown  in  March  on  red  soil,  it  headed  out 
May  30th  when  four  feet  high.  An  excellent  hay  crop.  Seed  distributed 
one  season.  Not  equal  to  the  broomcorn  millets  which  were  sent  out 
by  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  as  elsewhere  noted. 

Buckwheats. — Six  varieties  from  Berkeley,  grown  in  plots  in  1896.  All 
kinds  throve,  especially  the  California  and  the  Japanese.  Sown  again 
in  1899,  the  seed  did  not  germinate. 


22  UNIVERSITY    OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT   STATION. 

Flax. — A  collection  of  flaxes  has  been  grown  here,  attracting  much 
attention.  The  varieties  were  California,  Royal  (from  Germany),  White 
Flowering  (from  France),  Belgian  Improved,  Russian  Pskoff,  Pure  Riga, 
White  Dutch,  and  Yellow  Seeded.  Sown  November  23,  1899,  these 
varieties  began  to  bloom  April  18th  to  23d.  The  height  of  Royal  was 
30  to  36  inches;  of  Belgian,  36  to  42  inches;  and  few  plants  of  any 
variety  were  below  25  inches.  The  fiber  was  excellent,  and  the  seeds 
plump  and  bright. 

Lupins. — Experiments  with  lupins  for  green-manuring  have  been  fol- 
lowed for  several  years  at  this  substation.  In  some  seasons  the  results 
have  been  very  promising,  but  in  others  less  so.  On  the  whole,  the 
prospects  of  practical  results  valuable  to  the  farmers  of  this  region  are 
improving. 

European  Yellow  Lupin,  sown  November  6,  1899,  in  eighteen-inch 
drills,  seed  dropped  ten  inches  in  the  rows,  soil  mixed  slate  and  granite, 
made  plants  six  inches  high  by  March  15,  1900.  Did  not  cover  the 
ground.  Sowed  too  thinly,  but  previous  thick  sowing  had  made  the 
plants  slender. 

Large  Blue  Lupin,  under  similar  conditions,  grew  sixteen  inches  high, 
and  was  in  full  bloom  March  16th,  but  the  foliage  was  light  and  tuber- 
cles scant. 

Large  White  Lupin  reached  a  height  of  seventeen  inches,  with  heavy 
foliage  and  wide  spread  of  branches,  by  March  15th.  The  ground  was 
fairly  well  covered.     This  lupin  was  in  full  flower  by  March  12th. 

The  Large  Rose  Lupin  grew  taller,  but  more  slender.  The  common 
European  Blue  did  poorly.  Lupinus  tricolor  was  a  failure,  and  L.  angusti- 
folius  little  better. 

In  1900-1901,  the  lupins  suffered  much  from  squirrels  and  hares;  but 
being  sown  early  and  the  season  being  mild,  they  grew  larger  than  in  the 
previous  year,  affording  good  covering  to  the  ground  and  making  a  prof- 
itable fertilizer.  The  large  lupin  plots  have  been  fenced  with  wire, 
which  measurably  keeps  out  depredating  animals,  and  the  area  devoted 
to  this  culture  has  been  extended  on  poor  soil  which  needs  fertilization. 
The  Large  European  White  Lupin  appears  to  be  the  best  variety  to 
plant  in  this  locality. 

SEEDS  FROM  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

The  following  notes  are  chiefly  upon  plants  the  seeds  of  which  came 
under  numbers  from  the  Section  of  Seed  and  Plant  Introduction  of  the 
Department  of  Agriculture.  Some  notes  on  the  same  species  otherwise 
obtained  are  included. 

Muskmelona.—Noa.  1117,  1118,  1140,  1142,  1144,  1145,  1147,  1148,  and 
1208  were  planted  in  the  spring  of  1900  on  red  soil.  Growth  was  not 
strong,  and  all  varieties  set  poorly.  No.  1118  was  a  delicious,  green- 
fleshed  melon,  weighing  4-J  pounds  to  the  average  fruit.  The  late  or 
winter  varieties  did  not  seem  desirable  for  home  market. 

In  1899  a  large  collection  of  Turkestan  muskmelons  from  Bokhara 
and  Amu  Daria  were  grown  (Nos.  124,  125,  126,  127,  129,  130,  132,  133, 
139,  141,  145,  and  others).  The  quality  of  these  melons  was  poor  and 
none  of  the  vines  bore  well.  Seeds  of  a  few  of  the  more  promising  were 
distributed  for  further  trial  elsewhere. 


THE  FOOTHILL  SUBSTATION — SEEDS  FROM  U.  S.  DEPT.  AGR.      23 

It  appears  necessary  to  irrigate  all  melons  once  or  twice  here,  to  pro- 
duce good  crops  on  the  hill-slopes.  Melons  do  well  on  some  of  the 
bottom  lands  without  any  irrigation. 

Stock-melons. — The  Khama  stock-melon  from  South  Africa,  so  success- 
ful at  the  substation  in  southern  California,  did  but  poorly  here.  The 
Kansas  stock-melon  also  failed  to  bear  well.  This  crop  is  not  adapted 
to  the  district. 

Watermelons. — Always  of  very  fair  quality  here;  the  crops  on  this 
soil  are  light,  and  the  fruit  small.  The  leading  varieties  known  have 
been  planted. 

Vetches. — Many  kinds  of  vetches  have  been  tested  here,  in  past  sea- 
sons, some  from  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  others  directly  imported 
from  Vilmorin  and  others.  Vicia  ervillia,  the  black  bitter  vetch  from 
France  (No.  1452),  sown  December  3,  1900,  grew  from  twenty  to  twenty- 
five  inches  in  length  of  branches,  and  blossomed  throughout  May. 
Considered  a  valuable  vetch  in  Algeria.  Yield  not  equal  to  that  of 
T.  sativa  here. 

The  Kidney  Vetch  (Anthyllis  vulneraria)  (No.  1503  of  the  Inventory) 
was  grown  here  in  1896,  when  this  "yellow  sand  clover"  did  fairly  well 
on  granite  soil,  making  sparse  foliage.  Again  sown  in  November,  1899, 
on  both  granite  and  slate  soils,  it  did  very  poorly,  growth  stopping 
when  hot  weather  came. 

Vicia  sativa,  or  common  Spring  Vetch  (Nos.  1504  -and  1505  of  the 
Inventory),  and  also  V.  sativa  cordata,  have  been  grown,  the  former  for 
several  seasons.  They  require  sowing  as  early  in  winter  as  possible, 
and  will  then  make  a  heavy  spring  growth  on  both  granite  and  slate 
soils.  They  stand  the  hot  weather  quite  well.  Department  seed  of  V. 
sativa  cordata,  sown  November  23,  1899,  began  to  bloom  May  17th  on 
the  granite  soil  and  June  6th  on  the  slate.  V.  sativa,  sown  on  same 
day,  bloomed  May  20th  on  the  granite  and  June  13th  on  the  slate 
soil.  Its  yield  was  heavy,  and  it  can  be  strongly  recommended  to 
farmers  as  an  excellent  forage  plant  here.  V.  sativa  cordata  did  better 
than  the  ordinary  form. 

No.  1507,  the  white  variety  of  Vicia  sativa,  did  but  poorly  when  com- 
pared with  Tr.  cordata,  as  reference  to  the  table  will  show.  An  irrigated 
plot  on  red  soil  grew  4  feet  high,  blossomed  throughout  June,  and 
exemplified  the  profit  of  using  water  where  available. 

Vicia  macrocarpa  (No.  1508),  a  massive,  large-leaved  species,  did  very 
well  on  two  trials,  and  is  worthy  of  further  planting;  as  also  is  Vicia 
narbonensis  (No.  1509),  which  on  slate  soil  yielded  heavily  and  is  one 
of  the  best  annual  vetches  tested  at  this  substation.  The  main  sowings 
of  V.  narbonensis  were  November  6  and  November  23,  1899.  It  failed 
on  the  granite  soil. 

Another  promising  annual  vetch,  but  only  for  the  slate  soil,  is  V.fulgens 
(No.  1514),  from  Algeria,  a  showy  and  useful  species.  Both  this  and 
F.  narbonensis  reached  a  height  of  3^  to  4  feet  on  the  slate  soil.  The 
bloom  period  of  V,  fulgens  has  begun  as  early  as  May  17th  and  as  late 
as  June  13th.  It  appears  especially  well  adapted  to  these  hillside 
pastures,  and  is  highly  recommended  by  Dr.  Trabut  of  Algiers. 

The    "Narrow -leaved    Vetch"    {V.    angustifolia)    (No.    1511),    sown 


24  UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT    STATION. 

in  November,  blossomed  May  26th  on  the  granite  and  June  15th  on 
the  slate  soil.     The  yield  was  not  large. 

Vicia  atropurpurea,  sent  from  Berkeley  in  1899,  sown  November  23d, 
blossomed  May  22d  on  the  granite  and  June  15th  on  the  slate  soil.  It 
grew  2  and  2 -J  feet  high,  and  yielded  a  medium  crop.  Under  similar 
conditions,  Vicia  peregrina  did  not  do  so  well.  Vicia  Bythinica  proved 
a  promising  species  on  both  soils. 

But  the  most  useful  species  tested  at  the  substation  seems  to  be  the 
old  V.  villosa,  or  Hairy  Vetch,  perhaps  because  its  culture  has  been 
carried  on  since  1890  and  it  is  now  somewhat  naturalized  on  the  hill- 
sides. Seed  has  been  sent  from  Berkeley  several  times,  and  has  also 
been  gathered  at  the  substation.  The  last  sowings,  November,  1899, 
were  on  both  soils.  On  the  granite,  this  vetch  blossomed  May  10th;  on 
the  slate,  June  1st.  The  growth  was  u  thick-matted "  and  6  feet  from 
the  crown  on  either  side.  A  plot  sown  broadcast  with  Russian  rye 
blossomed  June  4th  (poor  granite  soil).  The  rye  germinated  badly; 
the  vetch  yielded  better  than  any  other  crop  ever  put  on  this  soil. 
Hairy  Vetch  is  extremely  well  adapted  to  this  region,  can  be  naturalized 
in  pastures  better,  it  would  seem,  than  the  Australian  saltbush,  affords 
more  fodder,  and  justifies  much  more  extensive  trials. 

Hairy  Vetch,  sown  broadcast  November  7,  1900,  on  mixed  slate  and 
granite  soil  (but  light  and  poor),  came  up  thickly,  made  2  to  4  feet 
growth  from  the  crowns,  and  blossomed  in  May.  Used  as  pasture  on 
pure  granite  soil,  it  did  nearly  as  well.  Sown  on  similar  soil  March  2, 
1901,  it  grew  10  feet  from  the  crowns,  and  bloomed  in  June.  Sown  too 
late  for  best  results. 

The  following  synopsis  shows  the  yield  of  the  best  of  these  different 
vetches  in  1900:  , 

Yield  per  Acre, 
Name.  In  Full  Bloom.  (Green), 

In  Pounds. 

Vicia  peregrina _..         June  4  14,620 

Vicia  atropurpurea _ _ _..  "      4  17,240 

Viciafulgens _. "       4  18,150 

Vicia  Bythinica __ _. "      5  19,057 

Vicia  narbonensis  _._ May  25  25,400 

Vicia  sativa _ June  4  25,410 

Vicia  sativa  cordata _-. "      4  30,855 

Vicia  villosa "      4  32,670 

In  previous  years  (1895  and  1896),  small  plots  of  Vicia  villosa  have 
yielded  on  red  soil,  unfertilized  and  unirrigated,  at  the  rate  of  20 
tons  of  green  fodder  per  acre.  The  experiments  thus  far  indicate  that 
V.  sativa,  V.  sativa  cordata,  V,  narbonensis,  and  V.  villosa  lead  all  others 
in  practical  value  here,  and  of  these  V.  villosa  seems  best  adapted  to  the 
district. 

Lentils. — No.  1346  (a  Russian  variety),  No.  1466  (the  small  queen  or 
March  lentil),  No.  1467  (the  red  winter  lentil),  and  No.  1483  (the  one- 
flowered  V.  monantha)  have  been  grown  here.  In  addition,  the  uBig 
Hiller  Lentil,"  from  Russia,  and  a  collection  of  lentils  from  Vilmorin, 
were  planted.  All  of  these  received  several  tests  on  both  soils.  Lentils 
sown  early  are  well  adapted  to  the  red  soils  of  this  district,  though  as 
yet  but  slightly  known.  Sown  early  in  November,  they  bloom  early  in 
May.  Nos.  1466  and  1467  grew  1  foot  high  and  spread  2 -J  feet  in  the 
rows.  Crop  excellent.  No  irrigation  is  needed.  The  granite  soil 
produces  little. 


THE   FOOTHILL   SUBSTATION — SEEDS    FROM   U.    S.    DEPT.   AGR.  25 

One  plot  of  No.  1483,  the  one-flowered  lentil,  sown  December  3,  1900, 
made  a  growth  of  2^  to  3  feet  in  length  of  vines,  blooming  May  15th. 
Crop  excellent. 

Turkestan  Alfalfa. — The  Department  of  Agriculture  sent,  in  the  fall 
of  1898,  and  again  in  1899,  Nos.  1150, 1151, 1159,  and  1169  of  the  alfalfa 
(Medicago  sativa)  known  as  turkestanica.  As  at  both  Paso  Robles  and 
Tulare  stations,  this  alfalfa  seems  hardier  and  more  drought-resistant 
than  the  common  variety,  but  yields  no  better.  There  is  no  appreciable 
difference  among  these  lots  of  Turkestan  alfalfa.  None  of  them  have 
seeded  well. 

At  Amador  substation  the  plot  suffered  much  from  squirrels  and 
hares,  which  climbed  a  three-foot  wire  netting.  Close  measurements  of 
results  are  impossible  here  until  the  entire  station  tract  southwest  of  the 
ditch  is  fenced  against  these  animals. 

Turkestan  alfalfa  blossoms  here  about  May  15th,  when  it  is  14  to  15 
inches  high,  without  irrigation,  on  mixed  soil;  and  when  18  to  20  inches 
high  on  the  slate  soil.  One  irrigated  plot  reached,  by  June  15th,  a 
height  of  about  26  inches,  and,  being  protected  from  animals,  was  cut 
three  times  (season  of  1900).  The  above  plots  were  sown  in  November. 
Plots  sown  in  March  did  not  bloom  until  June  16th,  but  made  three 
cuttings  and  were  nearly  as  large  as  that  sown  in  November. 

This  lucerne  from  central  Asia  possesses  a  large  root  system.  Its 
leaves  are  more  pubescent,  and  in  the  dry  season  they  turn  more  edge- 
wise toward  the  sun.  Hence  the  plant  exhales  less  moisture.  Under 
irrigation,  these  features  are  less  marked. 

Cuzco  Maize. — The  large-seeded,  tall  Zea  mays  from  Bolivia  (Nos.  758 
and  759)  failed  to  mature  here.  It  requires  irrigation.  The  kernels 
are  hardly  half-ripe  when  the  frost  comes. 

Velvet  Bean. — The  "velvet  bean'5  (Mucuna  utilis)  received  from  Florida 
was  grown  in  1898.  It  made  a  very  poor  start,  and  did  poorly,  needing 
more  moisture.     Bears  no  comparison  with  the  vetches. 

Safflower. — The  well-known  safflower,  Carthamnus  tinctorius  (No. 
1345  of  the  Inventory),  was  grown  in  this  region  years  ago,  and  occa- 
sionally appears  in  old  gardens.  Since  tested  on  the  substation,  it  proves 
very  easy  of  growth  on  both  soils,  very  drought-enduring.  Does  not 
compare  with  the  Russian  sunflowers  as  a  yielder  of  seeds  for  oil  or 
chicken  feed.     Sunflowers  are  healthy  and  of  the  easiest  culture  here. 

Artichokes. — Several  collections  of  Cynara  scolymus,  including  Nos. 
1364,  1365,  1366,  and  1367  of  thelnventory,  have  been  grown  here,  with 
irrigation,  and  give  excellent  results.  Degenerated  artichokes  run  wild 
on  the  hill-slopes,  are  sometimes  found  in  this  region,  but  "go  to  seed" 
in  early  summer.     Offshoots  have  been  locally  distributed. 

Cotton. — The  Peruvian  cotton  (No.  1363)  proved  too  late  a  species  to 
mature  here.  Collections  of  cottons  from  Georgia  and  elsewhere  have 
been  grown  on  several  occasions,  and  the  ordinary  upland  varieties 
mature  well  here,  are  healthy,  and  make  a  medium  growth  without  irri- 
gation, on  the  red  soils;  on  the  poorer  granite  soils  they  have  failed 
entirely. 


26  UNIVERSITY   OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT   STATION. 

March  Rape. — This  quick-growing  form  of  the  common  field  rape 
(Brassica  napus)  (No.  1449  of  the  Inventory)  has  been  one  of  the  most 
promising  plants  for  quick-growing  forage  ever  tested  on  light  granite 
soils.  It  must  be  sown  early  in  November,  or  with  the  first  rains,  and 
will  grow  all  winter.  This  and  the  Essex  Rape  are  recommended  by 
the  station  for  more  general  trial  in  the  Sierra  foothills,  but  the  March 
Rape  does  better  than  the  Essex.  It  should  be  sown  in  drills,  on  well- 
prepared  soil,  at  the  rate  of  two  pounds  per  acre,  or  broadcast  at  the 
rate  of  five  pounds.  If  the  land  is  very  poor  so  that  plants  do  not 
branch  much,  it  should  be  sown  even  more  thickly  than  this.  But  on 
the  granite  soil  at  the  substation,  rape  has  covered  the  surface,  growing 
three  to  four  feet  high,  and  yielding  at  the  rate  of  32  tons  of  green 
fodder  per  acre.  As  this  is  land  which  will  hardly  produce  half  a  ton 
of  cured  barley  hay  per  acre,  the  value  of  the  crop  is  evident.  March 
Rape  sown  on  slate  soil  yielded  at  the  rate  of  47  tons  of  green  forage 
per  acre. 

If  the  winter  is  cold  and  wet,  rape  can  be  drilled  on  raised  furrows, 
to  allow  an  earlier  start.  It  is  valueless  here  for  summer  pasture.  The 
growth  of  our  wild  mustard  and  turnip,  which  start  with  the  first  rains, 
afford  a  clue  to  the  proper  place  of  rape  on  foothill  farms. 

Sulla. — This  perennial  legume  (Hedysarum  coronarium)  has  been 
tested  on  both  soils  since  1891.  It  stands  the  climate  well,  but  fails  on 
the  granite.  On  the  slate  soil  it  grows  three  feet  high.  It  shows  no 
inclination  to  naturalize  itself  on  the  hillsides,  and  often  needs  some 
irrigation  to  carry  it  through  the  summer. 

Garbanzo. — This,  the  "  Pois  chiche"  of  France,  corrupted  to  the 
"chick  pea"  of  catalogues,  and  called  by  some  seedsmen  "Idaho  pea," 
is  well  known  in  California  as  "  Garbanzo,"  a  common  table  vegetable. 
Seed  was  received  under  the  Inventory  numbers  2139  and  2376.  Sown 
December  3d  on  slate  soil,  it  was  eighteen  inches  high  June  15th,  and 
did  fairly  well  without  irrigation.  If  watered,  it  makes  a  large  growth. 
The  late  spring  sowing  recommended  elsewhere  is  not  satisfactory  here. 

Broad  Beans. — All  the  leading  varieties  of  Viciafaba  have  been  tested 
here.  A  collection  from  Sutton  &  Co.,  and  one  from  Vilmorin  were 
planted,  also  Nos.  2064,  2065,  2066,  and  2375  of  the  Inventory.  The 
best  of  the  last-named  in  point  of  growth  was  No.  2375,  the  "  Windsor." 
All  these  English  or  broad  beans  are  hardy  here,  require  sowing  with 
the  first  rains  on  slate  soil,  and  yield  heavily  without  irrigation.  A 
profitable  crop  for  the  farmers.  The  table  use  of  this  bean  is  only  to 
be  seen  among  Portuguese  families. 

Field  and  Other  Peas. — Victoria  field  pea  (No.  1173),  from  Moscow, 
originally  an  English  variety,  was  tested  in  1899  and  1900.  Sown  in 
November,  it  grows  but  slowly  and  not  large.  Lathyrus  sativus  (No. 
1175),  cultivated  in  the  Volga  River  provinces,  is  a  bitter  vetch  used 
"in  moderation  with  coarse  fodder"  (Inventory  No.  2,  U.  S.  Div.  of 
Botany).  Too  freely  used  it  is  injurious.  It  grew  but  poorly  at  the 
substation.  Nos.  2120  and  2121  were  edible-pod  peas  of  good  quality 
for  the  table.  The  "gray  field  peas"  (Pisum  arvense)  (Nos.  1485,  1486, 
and  1487),  sown  in  drills,  made  fair  growth,  but  were  not  equal  to 
the  best  vetches. 


THE    FOOTHILL    SUBSTATION— GLUTEN    WHEATS.  27 


GLUTEN  WHEATS. 

Experiments  with  the  so-called  " gluten  wheats"  have  continued  for 
two  years  here,  as  at  other  substations.  The  following  notes  show  yield 
on  small,  drilled  plots,  in  the  season  of  1900-1901: 

Theiss  (No.  3823),  from  the  original  stock,  sown  November  30th  on 
granite  soil,  grew  three  feet  high,  and  was  cut  July  8,  1901.  It  only 
yielded  at  the  rate  of  198  pounds  of  grain  per  acre.  Seed  of  this  original 
stock,  harvested  at  Tulare  substation  in  1900,  sown  on  this  soil,  yielded  in 
1901  at  the  rate  of  340  pounds  per  acre.  Seed  harvested  in  1900  at 
Amador,  yielded  in  1901  at  the  rate  of  11,041  pounds  of  hay  per  acre. 
This  plot  was  on  slate  soil,  and  fertilized  with  nitrate.  Unfertilized,  it 
yielded  at  the  rate  of  10,729  pounds  per  acre.  The  light  granite  soil 
hardly  makes  any  grain  here,  and  only  a  very  small  crop  of  hay,  even 
in  years  of  greatest  rainfall,  unless  fertilized. 

Fultz  wheat,  original  stock  (No.  5493),  sown  on  granite  soil  Novem- 
ber 30,  1900,  yielded  at  the  rate  of  214  pounds  per  acre.  One  third  of 
both  the  Fultz  and  the  Dawson  were  destroyed  by  squirrels. 

As  these  hard  wheats  are  grown  at  this  substation  in  successive  gen- 
erations from  the  original,  the  kernels  become  more  puffed  up,  lighter 
in  color,  and  show  an  increasing  layer  of  starch.  The  plants  spread 
less  on  the  surface  when  small,  and  the  yield  of  grain  is  greater.  The 
original  wheat  seems  to  hold  its  own  less  here  than  at  Tulare. 


28 


UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT    STATION. 


SOUTHERN  COAST  RANGE  SUBSTATION. 


(One  and  a  half  miles  north-northeast  from  Paso  Robles,  San  Luis  Obispo 
County.    Elevation,  nearly  800  feet.) 


'ftla'xA.  QrcXaTcV 


12 


There  have  been  several  changes  at  this  substation  since  the  issuance 
of  the  last  report.  The  Patron,  Mr.  F.  D.  Frost,  resigned  in  1900,  and 
his  place  was  taken  by  Mr.  S.  D.  Merk.  Mr.  J.  W.  Neal  was  transferred 
here  from  the  Amador  substation  in  1901. 

History. — The  substation  near  Paso  Robles  was  one  of  the  three  first 
established,  and  has  cost  more  in  proportion  to  positive  results  than 
any  other  of  the  outlying  substations.     It  was  located  upon  soils  typical 

and  varied,  in  the  oak  country  east  of  the 
Salinas  River,  in  a  region  which  was  at 
that  time  (1888)  just  changing  from  long- 
continued  pastoral  conditions  and  the  large 
Spanish  ranches  of  pioneer  days,  to  small 
farms  and  modern  agricultural  problems. 
Long-delayed  currents  of  life  overflowed 
the  region,  and  large  sums  of  money  were 
wasted  by  the  settlers  on  crops  unsuitable 
to  the  soil  and  climate.  If  the  substation 
had  been  established  even  five  years  earlier, 
it  might  have  been  able  to  prevent  a  large 
part  of  these  losses;  or  if  it  had  been  estab- 
lished five  years  later,  the  experience  of 
others  would  have  been  a  useful  guide  to 
early  substation  investments.  As  it  was, 
the  history  of  the  place  is  very  closely 
linked  with  that  of  the  community;  and  as 
will  be  seen  in  a  bulletin  on  "  Deciduous  Fruits  in  the  Upper  Salinas," 
the  work  of  the  substation  has  been  by  necessity  extended  over  a  large 
area.  Other  notes  upon  the  recent  work  of  this  substation  will  be  found 
in  an  account  of  the  Australian  and  other  saltbushes. 

At  the  time  that  the  substation  was  established,  the  entire  upper 
Salinas  country  from  San  Miguel  southward,  was  taking  strong  hold  of 
fruit-growing  industries,  expecting  to  follow  in  the  footsteps  of  the  Santa 
Clara  Valley  in  the  matter  of  prunes,  apricots,  peaches,  grapes,  and 
even,  as  some  writers  then  maintained,  olives,  oranges,  lemons,  walnuts, 
and  figs.  An  ample  experimental  orchard  and  vineyard  were  therefore 
established,  and  as  different  varieties  failed  others  were  tested,  from  year 
to  year,  until  between  1889  and  the  present  time  almost  every  variety 
and  certainly  all  types  of  deciduous  and  other  fruits  that  offered  any 


Hazy  7UU5 

{Legend  for  Chart  1897-8.    (See 
next  page.) 


M 


SOUTHERN    COAST    RANGE    SUBSTATION HISTORY. 


29 


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Charts  of  Southern 


S 
1901. 
Coast  Range  Substation. 


30  UNIVERSITY    OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT   STATION. 

prospect  of  success  have  been  grown  here.  The  last  large  planting  con- 
sisted of  an  orchard  of  several  hundred  selected  varieties  of  apples,  pears, 
and  other  hardy  fruits,  which  is  not  yet  in  bearing,  but  soon  will  be. 
The  labor  of  years  in  these  lines  has  yielded  some  very  valuable  positive 
results. 

From  the  time  that  the  substation  began  work,  there  have  been  experi- 
ments with  forage  plants  and  grasses  and  with  whatever  vegetation 
promised  to  endure  the  difficult  climate  and  the  poor  soil.  Some  of 
these  have  given  positive  results  of  great  value  to  the  region. 

A  continuous  effort  has  been  made  to  obtain  trees  and  shrubs  whose 
root  systems  or  habit  of  winter  growth  is  such  that  they  will  penetrate 
the  hardpan,  which  on  a  large  part  of  the  substation  soils  offers  the 
greatest  obstacle  to  successful  agriculture.  This  hardpan  area  has  been 
mapped,  its  thickness  measured,  and  its  nature  studied.  There  is  much 
of  such  soil  in  California,  and  the  crops  possible  upon  it  are  often  still 
further  limited  by  climatic  conditions. 

The  years  of  light  rainfall  which  have  occurred  since  1888  have 
enabled  the  substation  to  make  some  important  and  indeed  unique 
records  for  maintaining  plant  growth  in  seasons  of  drought.  In  seasons 
of  sufficient  rainfalls,  the  very  complete  tests  of  cereals  and  many 
cultures  made  here  have  been  of  recognized  value  to  the  district. 

The  conditions  which  prevail  over  a  large  portion  of  the  area  east  of 
the  Salinas  River,  known  as  the  Estrella  plains,  in  San  Luis  Obispo 
County,  now  indicate  a  wise  tendency  toward  larger,  not  smaller  farms, 
and  toward  the  pastoral  use  of  much  land  which  has  been  proven  unfit 
for  horticulture.  The  substation's  greatest  future  usefulness  lies  in  its 
securing  a  larger  area  of  land,  and  there  planting  those  forage  plants 
and  those  shrubs  and  trees  which  have  been  shown  to  succeed  here,  so 
as  to  make  the  pastoral  side  of  its  work  more  important  and  more  nearly 
self-supporting.  The  area  along  the  upper  Salinas  subject  to  irrigation 
is  very  limited;  it  is  the  vast  rolling  plains  and  uplands  east  of  the 
river  which  constitute  the  agricultural  problem  of  to-day.  Here,  also, 
continued  experiments  with  cereals,  particularly  with  new  cross-bred 
varieties,  are  very  desirable. 


CLIMATE. 

The  record  of  temperature  at  the  substation  now  covers  thirteen  years; 
the  rainfall  record  has  been  kept  for  this  district  for  sixteen  years,  and 
more  or  less  accurate  notes  upon  climate  during  an  earlier  period,  reach- 
ing back  to  1850,  have  been  secured. 

Record  of  Trees. — Three  large  oak  trees  growing  near  the  substation 
were  cut  in  1899,  1900,  and  1901,  and  the  rings  of  growth  examined  to 
determine  the  probable  nature  of  previous  seasons.  These  grew  on  the 
rolling  plains  east  of  the  river,  and  the  species  was  Quercus  lobata.  All 
three  were  mature  and  growing  trees  ranging  in  age  from  two  hundred 
to  two  hundred  and  fifty  years.  One  specimen  was  decayed  in  the 
middle,  and  thus  part  of  the  record  was  destroyed.  All  stood  on  nearly 
level  land. 

In  these  three  trees  the  annual  rings  of  wood  varied  greatly  in  thick- 


SOUTHERN    COAST    RANGE    SUBSTATION — CLIMATE.  31 

ness.  All  showed  years  of  excellent  growth,  years  of  medium  growth, 
and  years  of  very  scanty  growth.  In  all  three,  rings  of  wood  of  more 
than  average  thickness  were  deposited  for  one  and  occasionally  for  two 
seasons  after  the  following  winters:  1841-2;  1849-50;  1861-2;  1875-6; 
1879-80;  1888-9;  1892-3.  The  periods  of  smallest  wood  growth  corre- 
sponded very  closely  with  the  following  seasons  :  1840-41 ;  1847-8 ; 
1851-2;  1863-4;  1870-71;  1882-3;  1893-4;  1897-8.  Still  earlier, 
there  were  records  on  these  trees  of  several  years  when  hardly  any  wood 
was  deposited,  the  inference  of  course  being  that  these  years  were  ex- 
tremely dry  and  cold.  One  such  period  showed  on  all  three  trees,  closely 
following  1795 ;  a  much  longer  and  more  severe  period  showed  on  two 
of  the  trees  (record  of  the  third  destroyed)  from  1744  to  1756.  From 
twelve  to  fifteen  extremely  thin  rings,  hardly  thicker  than  the  point  of 
a  pin,  marked  this  period  of  tree  suffering.  Two  or  three  very  dry 
seasons  in  this  decade  would  have  been  enough  to  check  growth  for  a 
long  time,  and  other  natural  causes  may  have  been  in  operation. 

The  checks  to  growth  caused  by  such  dry  seasons  as  1863-4  (a  very 
plain  record)  extended  over  four  and  five  years.  The  growths  of  the 
two  seasons  following  1861-2  were  collectively  greater  than  those  of  the 
six  years  which  came  next  (1863-4  to  1868-9). 

Since  the  three  trees  which  were  examined  agree  very  closely  with 
each  other  and  with  the  climate  record,  so  far  as  known  for  this  region, 
it  is  fair  to  conclude  that  the  record  for  earlier  years  is  no  less  accurate. 

Rainfall  and  Temperature. — The  rainfall  does  not  materially  differ 
over  a  large  area  of  country  east  of  the  Salinas,  except  that  it  lessens 
somewhat  as  one  goes  from  the  river  toward  the  San  Joaquin  Valley, 
and  increases  in  the  mountains  north  or  south  of  the  broad,  rolling 
plateaus,  such  as  the  Estrella  or  the  Carrisa  plains.  There  is  little 
difference  in  rainfall  between  Paso  Robles  and  the  substation,  but  what 
advantage  exists  is  in  favor  of  Paso  Robles,  at  the  base  of  the  Santa 
Lucia  range. 

At  the  substation,  the  season's  rainfall  has  four  times  since  1888 
exceeded  20  inches.  The  average  of  fifteen  years'  rainfall  (Paso  Robles 
for  1886-8  and  the  substation  for  1888-1901)  is  16.28  inches.  This  is  a 
very  satisfactory  average,  although  averages  of  rainfall,  like  means  of 
temperature,  must  not  have  too  much  dependence  placed  upon  them. 
The  following  table  gives  the  rainfall  by  months  for  four  seasons: 

Season.                 Sept.  Oct.  Nov.  Dec.  Jan.  Feb.  Mar.  April.  May.  Totals 

1897-8 03  .56  .05  .23  .82  1.55  .83  .00  .68  4.75 

1898-9 .10  .13  .30  .27  4.16  .08  4.99  1.37  .00  11.40 

1899-00... tr.  2.55  140  2.55  2.11  .08  1.90  .42  .67  11.68 

1900-01 tr.  1.54  6.10  .25  6.11  537  .63  1.37  1.43  22.80 

Average 03        1.19       1.98         .82       3.30       1.77       2.08         .79         .69        12.65 

While  the  average  yearly  rainfall  for  the  four  years  from  1887-8  to 
and  including  1890-91  was  21i  inches,  or  enough  to  justify  the  highest 
hopes  of  success  with  a  wide  range  of  crops,  the  yearly  average  for  the 
past  four  years,  as  shown  in  the  above  table,  was  less  than  13  inches. 
To  be  accurate,  the  average  annual  deficiency,  comparing  these  two 
periods,  was  8.60  inches  against  the  last  four  years.  The  average  of 
fifteen  years'  rainfall  here  was  a  little  more  than  16  inches,  and  even 


32 


UNIVERSITY   OF    CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT   STATION. 


this  is  5  inches  better  than  the  average  of  the  past  four  years.  It  is 
therefore  reasonable  to  expect  somewhat  better  seasons. 

The  early  and  late  frosts  which  injure  or  destroy  crops  otherwise 
desirable  for  this  district,  must  be  reckoned  with  by  every  practical 
man.  The  isotherms,  or  lines  of  equal  heat — mean  annual  degrees  of 
warmth — are  of  comparatively  little  importance  to  the  farmer;  it  is  the 
extremes  of  temperature,  daily  and  seasonal,  which  are  all-important. 
A  maximum  of  98°  Fahr.  and  a  minimum  of  22n  Fahr.  make  the  same 
mean  of  60°  that  is  given  by  a  maximum  of  107°  and  a  minimum  of 
13°,  but  the  difference  in  the  resultant  vegetation  of  the  two  districts  is 
very  great. 

The  lowest  temperatures  recorded  in  this  region  were  in  1878,  1886, 
1887,  and  1888,  at  Paso  Robles  and  San  Miguel  (railroad  records),  when 
the  thermometer  once  fell  as  low  as  13°  Fahr.,  and  several  times  to  16° 
Fahr.  The  substation  records  show  that  fruit  crops  were  more  or  less 
injured  by  frosts  in  nine  out  of  thirteen  years.  The  worst  frosts  come 
in  March  and  April,  in  which  months  there  are  often  fifteen  "killing 
frosts."  In  1892-3  there  were  forty-two,  and  in  1898-9  twenty-eight 
such  frosts.  The  frosts  of  January  and  February  do  little  or  no  harm 
to  fruit.  But  frequent  warm  days  in  February  bring  out  the  blossoms 
early  in  March,  so  that  anything  below  34°  Fahr.  then  injures  or  de- 
stroys almonds  and  apricots,  while  anything  below  32°  Fahr.  sweeps  off 
the  cherries  and  peaches.  It  is  of  course  the  April  frosts  that  are  the 
most  deadly. 

"  Smudging "  has  been  experimented  with  in  every  form,  but  proves 
of  no  value  here  where  the  frosts  are  so  prolonged  and  so  severe  over  so 
large  an  area  of  rolling  country.  The  total  "subject  to  frost"  period 
has  ranged  from  200  to  242  days,  in  the  latter  case  extending  from 
September  21st  to  April  20th.  Irrigation  on  a  small  scale,  around  a 
few  trees,  the  use  of  straw  on  the  surface,  whitewash  on  the  trees,  and 
every  other  suggested  method  of  retarding  the  blossom  period  of  fruit 
trees  failed  to  have  an  appreciable  influence  against  the  high  February 
maxima  of  temperature. 

The  following  table  continues  the  record  given  on  page  281  of  the  last 
report  (for  1897-8): 


Temperature  Statistics,  1899-1901. 


Month. 

Mean. 

►9— July.. 

70.22c 

Aug... 

65.59 

Sept.  . 

69.20 

Oct.  .. 

58.80 

Nov.-- 

54.35 

Dec.  .. 

47.29 

K)— Jan. ._ 

49.80 

Feb... 

50.28 

Mar... 

57.12 

April . 

53.26 

May.. 

64.38 

June  . 

68.50 

July.. 

70.22 

Aug... 

67.12 

Sept.  . 

63.33 

Oct.  -. 

59.67 

Nov... 

56.23 

Dec. .. 

45.58 

Mean 
Daily 
Max. 

89.00° 

80.29 

88.10 

70.58 

62.73 

59.77 

60.96 

65.35 

71.41 

68.93 

82.03 

86.50 

90.51 

84.06 

82.13 

74.93 

71.13 

59.64 


Mean 
Daily 
Min. 

51.45° 

50.90 

50.56 

47.03 

45.96 

34.83 

38.64 

35.10 

42.83 

37.63 

46.74 

50.53 

49.93 

50.22 

44.13 

44.77 

41.36 

31.54 


Mean 
Daily 
Range. 

37.55° 

29.39 

37.54 

23.54 

16.76 

24.93 

22.32 

30.39 

28.58 

31.30 

35.29 

35.96 

40.58 

33.83 

38.00 

30.19 

29.76 

28.09 


102c 
88 
97 
93 
69 
67 
69 
77 
82 
87 
96 
99 
106 
110 
100 
90 
87 
71 


Extreme  Max. 
aud  Dates. 

>— 10th 
-28th, 29th 
-13th 

-  8th 
-13th 

-24th,  25th,  26th 
-18th,  19th 
-17th 
-30th 
-17th 
-21st 
-19th,  20th 

-  8th,  9th,  12th 

-  2d 
-22d 

-  9th 
-12th 

-  6th 


Extreme  Min. 
and  Dates. 

45°—  7th 
44  —16th 

44  —  6th 

39  —29th 
37  —27th 
25  —28th 
28  —11th 
27  —  8th 
32  —28th 
27  —  9th 

40  —11th,  25th 
43  —15th 

45  — 22d 
42  —  9th 

36  —25th,  26th 
27  -30th 
31  —13th 
18  —31st 


SOUTHERN    COAST   RANGE   SUBSTATION — THE    ORCHARD.  33 

Temperature  Statistics,  1899-1901— Continued. 


Month. 

Daily 
Mean . 

Mean 
Daily 
Max. 

Mean 
Daily 
Min. 

Mean 
Daily 
Range. 

Extreme  Max. 
and  Dates. 

Extreme  Min. 
and  Dates. 

11— Jan. ._ 

46.61 

57.03 

36.22 

20.80 

68  —19th 

17  —  1st,  2d 

Feb. .. 

50.85 

60.60 

41.10 

19.50 

74  —28th 

24  —  7th 

Mar... 

52.70 

66.90 

38.51 

28.38 

78  —  1st 

29  —29th,  31st 

April . 

53.76 

70.46 

37.10 

33.36 

84  —19th 

28  —  7th,  8th 

May.. 

60.54 

75.90 

45.22 

30.67 

94  —31st 

36  —20th 

June  . 

66.43 

87.26 

45.60 

41.66 

110  —28th 

36  —10th,  13th 

July.. 

73.64 

94.87 

52.74 

43.74 

106  —19th 

44  —  3d 

Aug... 

72.29 

92.32 

52.25 

40.06 

109  —  2d 

40  —24th 

Sept.  . 

63.03 

82.43 

43.63 

38.80 

98  —16th 

36  —  8th 

Oct.  .. 

62.99 

80.48 

45.41 

35.06 

96  —13th 

36  —  2d 

Nov... 

54.60 

67.40 

41.83 

25.53 

83  —  5th 

32  —13th 

Dec... 

44.74 

60.35 

29.12 

21.22 

68  —31st 

16  —13th 

The  number  of  "killing"  frosts  during  this  period  was  as  follows: 
From  December,  1899,  to  April,  1900,  inclusive,  thirty-six;  from 
October,  1900,  to  April,  1901,  inclusive,  forty-seven;  November  and 
December,  1901,  twenty-two.  The  total  for  the  two  years  was  one 
hundred  and  five,  and  in  January,  1902,  there  were  twenty-two  more. 

The  temperature  record  has  been  kept  at  this  substation  since  it  was 
established,  and  with  a  maximum  and  minimum  thermometer,  and  in 
recent  years  a  self-recording  instrument.  Orchards  and  gardens  here 
and  there  escape  frosts;  one  notable  Paso  Robles  case  is  that  of  Mr. 
Brentlin,  half  a  mile  from  the  substation,  on  a  northeastern  slope. 
West  of  the  Salinas,  in  the  foothills,  are  many  locations  which  appear  to 
be  frostless,  but  a  great  deal  of  the  region  east  of  the  river,  and  not  a 
little  west,  is  subject  to  late  spring  frosts.  It  will  take  years  of  close 
observation  to  determine  with  any  certainty  the  "frostless  areas";  but 
only  by  doing  this  can  the  "safety  points"  be  ascertained  for  many 
kinds  of  fruits. 

THE  ORCHARD. 

The  history  of  the  orchard  has  been  fully  set  forth  in  a  separate  bul- 
letin entitled  "  Experiments  with  Deciduous  Fruits  at  and  near  the 
Southern  Coast  Range  Substation  from  1889  to  1902."  It  is  only  nec- 
essary, therefore,  to  give  some  observations  which  do  not  appear  in  that 
bulletin.  These  refer  principally  to  the  very  promising  young  orchard 
planted  in  1897  at  the  northern  end  of  the  substation  on  both  the 
brown  and  the  black  adobe  soils  beyond  the  swale. 

Apples. — In  the  young  orchard,  Ivanhoe,  Terry,  Eureka,  Gold  Ridge 
Winter,  Swaar,  Red  June,  Seek-No-Farther,  Duffy's  Seedling,  and  Beth- 
lemite  bore  for  the  first  time  in  1901.  All  of  these,  excepting  Red  June 
and  Swaar,  are  new  to  this  district  and  to  the  substation. 

The  best  of  all  these  varieties  is  Gold  Ridge  Winter,  a  California  seed- 
ling, obtained  in  1896  from  Sebastopol,  Sonoma  County,  through  the 
courtesy  of  Mr.  Fred  W.  Gill  of  that  town.  This  fine  yellow  apple  has 
not  been  listed  yet  in  any  catalogue.  The  young  tree  bore  eighteen 
large  apples,  which  were  gathered  October  5th  and  kept  until  the  end  of 
December.  This  variety,  therefore,  bids  fair  to  give  the  district  east  of  the 
Salinas  a  better  keeper  than  has  been  known  before,  as  even  the  Yellow 
Newtown  Pippin  is  fully  ripe  by  November  1st  on  these  soils  east  of  the 
Salinas.  The  quality  of  Gold  Ridge  Winter  is  very  fair,  and  if  grown 
nearer  the  coast  the  apple  would  rank  high.  It  is  as  good  as  any  apple 
grown  on  the#substation,  and  better  here  than  either  White  Winter  Pear- 
main  or  Yellow  Newtown  Pippin. 


34  UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT    STATION. 

Among  the  other  new  apples,  Ivanhoe  proved  of  medium  size,  a 
smooth,  red-streaked  variety  that  kept  only  until  the  middle  of  October. 
Eureka,  Swaar,  and  Seek-No-Farther  all  ripened  before  November.  Terry 
kept  better,  but  is  a  small  apple.  Bethlemite  and  Duffy's  Seedling  are 
not  suited  to  the  climate. 

In  the  old  orchard  in  or  near  the  swale,  a  few  apple  trees  planted  in 
1899  are  now  bearing  well.  Peck's  Pleasant,  Red-Cheeked  Pippin,  Early 
Ripe,  Duke  of  Devonshire,  Maiden  Blush,  Baldwin,  Stark,  Calvert,  Haas, 
Acme,  Shackelford,  Huntsman,  Lankford,  and  Montreal  Beauty  Crab,  all 
bore  crops  of  from  35  to  90  pounds  per  tree  in  1901.  Some  twenty  varie- 
ties bore  smaller  crops  of  poorer  fruit,  and  need  not  be  listed  here.  The 
trees  are  healthy,  and  excepting  in  years  of  extremely  severe  and  late 
frosts  bear  well.  The  fruit  ripens  very  early,  as  noted  in  previous 
reports,  and  is  not  of  high  quality;  but  for  family  use,  some  varieties  of 
apples  are  undoubtedly  worth  planting  in  selected  localities  east  of  the 
Salinas. 

In  most  cases  all  these  apples  began  to  fall  from  the  trees  by  October  1st, 
and  had  to  be  gathered.  Some  varieties  in  other  districts,  known  as 
autumn  and  early  winter  sorts,  ripen  by  the  middle  of  September.  Of 
the  varieties  in  the  older  part  of  the  orchard,  the  best  in  1901  were 
Peck's  Pleasant,  Marshall's  Seedling,  Acme,  Lankford,  and  Montreal 
Beauty. 

Pears. — In  the  young  orchard,  a  few  blossoms  formed  on  Lincoln 
Coreless  and  several  other  varieties,  and  a  few  pears  ripened,  but  not 
enough  to  test  any  sort.  On  the  older  trees  on  the  swale  and  north  on  the 
brown  adobe  the  best  crops  were  on  Conseiller  de  la  Cour,  the  fruit  of 
which  kept  until  late  in  January;  Beurre  Gris  d'Hiver,  which  also  was 
a  January  pear;  Nouveau  Poitou,  which  ripened  late  in  December; 
Doyenne  du  Cornice,  which  was  in  its  prime  at  Christmas;  Bartlett, 
which  was  at  its  best  in  September;  and  Winter  Nelis,  here  a  December 
pear.  Some  of  the  Bartlett  trees  bore  150  pounds  apiece.  The  quality 
of  all  the  pears  was  of  highest  grade.  The  pears  grown  here  would 
rank  as  unusually  good  in  flavor  and  color  in  any  market.  In  years  of 
average  rainfall,  they  are  of  large  size. 

Plums  and  Prunes. — The  trees  yielding  best,  all  on  swale  soil  or  north- 
ward on  brown  adobe,  were,  in  1901,  Robe  de  Sergent  Prune,  Red  Egg, 
Barry,  Petite  Prune,  Datte  de  Hongrie,  Burbank,  St.  Catherine,  and  Bul- 
garian, also  the  Myrobalan  ;  but  none  of  these,  except  the  last,  bore  more 
than  25  pounds  to  the  tree.  Most  of  these  plums  bore  early  for  the  variety, 
and  none  of  them  except  the  Myrobalans  are  holding  their  own.  The 
only  plums  for  this  district  are  Americanas,  and  hardy,  half- wild  types, 
from  which  a  good  deal  can  be  expected. 

Other  Fruits. — Quinces  are  beginning  to  bear  in  the  young  orchard, 
and  there  is  no  reason  why  they  should  not  succeed  in  this  district  on 
good  soil.  Almonds,  apricots,  peaches,  and  nectarines  did  nothing  in 
1901.  The  district  east  of  the  river  is  generally  unsuited  to  almonds 
and  apricots ;  peaches  and  nectarines,  with  care  and  in  chosen  spots, 
do  quite  well  in  ordinary  seasons.  The  only  mulberry  of  value  for  home 
use  here  is  the  Persian,  which  is  both  hardy  and  of  very  good  quality. 
It  should  be  planted  by  every  land-owner  in  this  region. 

Growth  of  Trees  on  Hardpan. — A  summary  of  the  condition  of  fruit 
trees  on  hardpan  for  three  years  before  most  of  the  orchard  was  removed, 


SOUTHERN   COAST    RANGE    SUBSTATION — THE   VINEYARD.  35 

or  in  1898,  1899,  and  1900,  shows  the  following  facts:  The  average 
annual  growth  of  the  cherry  tree  was  4-J  inches  ;  of  the  almonds,  5 
inches ;  of  the  peaches,  8  inches  ;  of  the  plums,  9  inches  ;  of  the  apricots, 
10  inches;  of  the  pears,  18  to  20  inches.  Some  trees  hardly  added  two 
inches  a  year  to  the  length  of  their  branches.  There  were  almost  no 
suckers  or  fresh  side  growths  to  renew  the  heads. 

In  every  case  when  trees  were  removed,  the  depth  to  hardpan  was 
recorded.  The  cherries  taken  out  since  1898  had  from  20  to  27  inches 
of  soil  above  the  hardpan.  The  almonds  had  from  21  to  25  inches.  The 
apples  had  from  18  to  24  inches.  The  plums  and  prunes  had  from  16 
to  30  inches.  Some  of  the  trees  taken  out  at  the  final  clearing  in  1901-2, 
left  longest  because  making  the  best  appearance,  stood  on  a  little  deeper 
soil — not  over  three  feet. 

THE  VINEYARD. 

The  following  table  shows  growth  and  yield  per  vine  of  leading  varie- 
ties of  grapes  on  light  soil  underlaid  by  hardpan.  If  planted  on  stronger 
and  deeper  soil,  of  which  there  is  much  in  the  district,  and  more  espe- 
cially if  planted  well  up  on  the  hillsides,  the  growth  and  yield  of  a 
vineyard  would  undoubtedly  be  much  more  satisfactory.  In  many 
seasons  the  late  frosts  destroy,  or  at  least  shorten,  the  crop  of  this  hard- 
pan  vineyard.  The  crop  is  usually  shortened  by  the  ravages  of  birds, 
which  attack  all  kinds  of  fruit.  The  vines  whose  crop  was  weighed  were 
those  which  had  been  least  severely  attacked: 

Grapes  in  1901. 

Variety.  £S?%!%2££     *W  per  Viae. 

Verdelho 2  feet.  2  lbs. 

Meunier __..  3  "  2  " 

Oinsaut ...-. SlA  "  4  " 

Gros  Mansenc 3  "  2  " 

Carignane 4  "  5  " 

JBastardo ... 3X  "  3  " 

Blue  Portuguese 2^  "  2  " 

Tinta  Amarella _ 4}<£  "  6  " 

Black  Morocco 4  "  8  " 

Pinot  St.  George 3^  "  6  " 

Golden  Chasselas 4^  "  7  " 

Folle  Blanche 3^  "  5  " 

Serine 3K  "  6  " 

Crabb's  Black  Burgundy 4%  "  8  " 

Sultana... 3  "  2  " 

Verdal 4  5  " 

Tinta  de  Madeira _ 43^  «  6  " 

Herbemont 3^  "  4  " 

Malbec — 4  "  8  " 

Chauch6  Noir 3  1  « 

Pizzutello ._ 6  ."  8  " 

Muscatello  Fino 4  "  5  " 

KobinNoir 3K  "  7  " 

Burger.. 4  5  " 

Petit  Bouschet 3%  "  6  " 

Mataro 2%  "  6  " 

Huasco 2  4  " 

Charbono  .  - 2^  "  l  « 

California  Black  Malvoisie ,_ 4%  "  8  " 

Out  of  sixty-six  varieties,  reported  upon  by  the  foreman  in  1901,  none 
yielded  more  than  8  pounds  to  the  vine.  The  strongest  grower  by 
far  was  Pizzutello,  here  one  of  the  best  table  grapes  and  one  of  the  best 
bearers  of  the  whole  collection.  Hundreds  of  cuttings  of  this  grape,  as 
well  as  of  Black  Morocco  and  others  that  promised  well  here,  have  been 
distributed  in  the  region. 


36  UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT   STATION. 


PERENNIAL  GRASSES. 

Roots  of  many  perennial  grasses  were  sent  to  the  substation  in  1899, 
to  test  their  drought-resistance.  They  were  planted  in  plots,  irrigated 
once  or  twice  to  give  the  roots  a  foothold,  and  were  afterward  cultivated. 
Nearly  all  failed  to  endure  the  summer.  Andropogon  citratus  (lemon- 
grass)  died  down,  but  sprouted  again  with  the  first  rains,  and  by 
December  1st  was  from  8  to  12  inches  high.  This  is  a  valuable  early 
winter  grass  for  the  region.  Another  which  grows  in  much  the  same 
way  here  is  Panicum  altissimum  (tall  panic).  Paspalum  compressum  also 
started  with  the  first  rains,  but  made  very  little  growth. 

The  late  frosts,  April  10,  1900,  injured  Paspalum  dilatatum  (large 
water-grass),  also  the  rye-grasses,  also  Phleum  pratense  (timothy),  Pani- 
cum bulbosum,  and  Agrostis  vulgaris  (red  top).  It  was  too  dry  for  any 
of  these.  Bermuda-grass  was  also  frosted,  but  recovered  and  started 
again,  keeping  green  until  autumnal  showers,  when  it  grew  quite  well. 

Panicum  molle  (para-grass)  kept  green  until  the  early  rains,  but  only 
grew  slowly  in  winter.  Sporobolus  wrightii  made  a  growth  of  4  to  5  feet, 
and  bloomed.     Cut  back,  it  grew  again  the  following  season. 

Bouteloua  curtipendula  (the  side-oats  grama  of  Nebraska)  made  a  fair 
growth  and  kept  green  all  summer.  It  grew  poorly  in  winter  and  died 
the  next  season.  B.  juncifolia  is  the  only  one  of  four  species  of  grama- 
grass  which  has  stood  three  seasons. 

Eragrostis  tenuis  (branching  spear-grass)  kept  green  all  summer,  and 
so  did  Elymus  arenarius  (sea  lyme-grass),  Elymus  triticoides,  a  Pacific 
Coast  species,  E.  canadensis  glaucifolius,  Agropyrum  pseudorepens  and 
A.  spicatum,  also  Lygeum  sparteum.  One  of  the  best  of  all  the  grasses 
grown  was  the  many-flowered  millet  ( Oryzopis  miliacea),  which  remained 
green  all  summer  and  made  a  large  winter  and  spring  growth. 

Seventy-two  species  were  grown  in  all,  thirty-two  of  which  died  before 
the  end  of  the  first  season,  and  fifteen  proved  too  tender. 


WHEAT  EXPERIMENTS. 

In  addition  to  the  experiments  elsewhere  described  with  gluten  wheats, 
etc.,  four  plots  were  sown  in  1900-1901  to  White  Australian  wheat,  three 
of  which  were  variously  fertilized  for  hay  crop.  All  were  sown  Decem- 
ber 10th,  and  cut  May  31st.     The  results  were  as  follows: 

Thomas  Phosphate    Sodium  Nitrate         Yield  of  Hay 
per  Acre.  per  Acre.  per  Acre. 

Plotl 500  lbs.  180  lbs.  6,225  lbs.     ■ 

Plot  2 500    "  ....  4,395  " 

Plot3 180    "  7,087  " 

Plot  4 —.  2,669  " 

The  considerable  difference  between  plots  1  and  3,  which  is  more  than 
ten  per  cent,  is  doubtless  due  to  differences  of  soil,  though  in  appearance 
the  plots  were  the  same. 

In  1899  there  were  field  tests  made  of  fifty  varieties  of  wheats,  includ- 
ing thirteen  Algerian  varieties  and  a  number  of  cross-bred  sorts  from 
Australia.  Sown  January  9th,  and  heading  out  after  May  10th,  the  ripe 
wheat  was  cut  from  July  11th  to  July  28th.  The  stalks  ranged  in  height 
from  22  to  37  inches;  and  the  heads  varied  in  length  from  2£  to  4-J  inches. 


SOUTHERN   COAST    RANGE    SUBSTATION WHEAT   EXPERIMENTS.  37 

The  crop,  in  drilled  plots,  ranged  from  a  rate  of  907  to  5,142  pounds  per 
acre.  All  the  Algerian  wheats,  such  as  Hamra,  Adjini,  and  Chetta, 
yielded  above  the  average,  and  ripened  among  the  earliest.  King's 
Jubilee  Improved  Fife  yielded  at  the  rate  of  4,235  pounds  per  acre,  and 
was  very  early.  Ratling  Jan  X  Hornblend  and  Indian  was  nearly  as 
early  as  any,  and  gave  a  yield  of  4,537  pounds  per  acre.  Steinwedel  X 
Quartz  and  King's  Jubilee  and  Steinwedel  and  Amethyst  X  Hornblend 
and  Early  Baart,  also  Cujanian,  Clawson,  and  Chili,  were  among  the 
best.  No.  30  American  Select  yielded  more  than  any  other  variety,  or 
at  the  rate  of  5,142  pounds  per  acre,  and  ripened  July  14th.  Pride"  of 
Genesee,  Turkish  Red,  and  Currell's  Winter  did  not  ripen  until  the  end 
of  July,  and  did  very  poorly  for  drilled  plots,  being  less  than  one  fourth 
the  crops  of  the  better  varieties  named. 

This  experiment  showed  early  the  great  difference  in  varieties  grown 
here,  and  the  value  of  some  of  the  new  cross-bred  wheats.  Reviewing 
the  work  of  the  substation  since  its  establishment,  on  cereals,  it  may  be 
said,  briefly,  that  a  very  large  number  of  varieties  of  wheat,  barley,  rye, 
spelt,  and  millet  have  been  grown  here,  on  both  the  granite  hardpan 
and  the  deep  adobe  soils.  The  region  in  years  of  average  rainfall  is 
exceedingly  well  adapted  to  cereal  crops.  The  substation  has  steadily 
practiced  early  planting  on  well-prepared  ground,  drilling,  and  break- 
ing of  the  crust  when  needed.  The  resultant  crops  on  small  plots  have 
been  exhibited  at  County  and  State  fairs  on  numerous  occasions.  Seed 
of  the  best  varieties  has  been  locally  distributed.  There  is  an  increas- 
ing demand  for  a  continuance  of  experiments  with  cross-bred  wheats, 
barleys,  and  other  cereals,  in  order  to  secure  greater  drought-resistance 
and  better  yield,  and  this  is  one  of  the  most  hopeful  lines  for  future 
work. 

Wheat  Hay  Experiments. — The  question  being  locally  asked  of  the 
substation,  whether  "it  made  much  difference  what  kind  of  wheat  was 
sown  for  hay,"  a  series  of  plots  were  laid  out  in  1898-9 — some  on  the 
swale  soil,  which  was  too  wet  to  be  sown  until  January,  and  some  on 
the  lighter  soil.  The  results  were  surprising  to  the  district.  In  every 
case,  the  plots  were  broadcasted.  The  following  table  shows  results. 
No  fertilizers  were  used,  and  the  soil  was  uniform,  having  shown  in 
previous  years,  when  sown  to  one  variety,  no  appreciable  difference 
between  plots.  As  the  late  rains  were  abundant,  the  plots  on  the  light 
soil  came  out  very  well,  although  sown  so  late.  In  the  case  of  the 
hardpan  soil,  it  is  in  wet  years  impossible  to  plow  early,  as  horses  can 
not  walk  on  the  surface. 

Variety.  Soil.  Sown. 

Hornblend  X  Indian  G swale       Jan 

Hornblend  X  Early  Baart  R.  215  "  ;' 

Marjorica  Carusa  X  Blount's 
Fife  and  Ward's  Prolific 

Marshall  8  X  Gypsum  and 
Ward's  White 

White  Sumatra  X  Ward's  Pro- 
lific  granitic  sand    " 

Sonora -  _. "  "        " 

Steinwedel  X  King's  Jubilee  and 

Indian  A "  "         " 

Jacinth  X  King's    Jubilee   and 

Leak's "  "         " 

Ward's  Prolific". .'..'.'.'.. '.'.". '".'. 

Frame's  New  X  Australian "         "         " 


n. 

Cut. 

Yield  per  Acre. 

4 

Ma-v 

22 

2,820  lbs.;  few  leaves. 

4 

" 

22 

2,980  lbs.;  few  leaves. 

4 

" 

25 

3,610  lbs.;  excellent  hay. 

4 

(i 

25 

4,800  lbs.;  excellent  hay. 

21 

« 

23 

2,774  lbs  ;  excellent  hay. 

21 

<< 

22 

3,000  lbs.;  fair  hay. 

21 

« 

25 

3,030  lbs.;  fair  hay. 

21 

« 

25 

3,105  lbs.;  excellent  hay. 

16 

u 

25 

5,150  lbs.;  excellenthay. 

16 

25 

6,570  lbs.;  best  of  all  in 
quality. 

38  UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT    STATION. 


SEEDS  FROM  WASHINGTON,  AND  ELSEWHERE. 

A  number  of  introductions,  chiefly  sent  out  by  the  Department  of 
Agriculture,  have  been  tested  here,  and  some  of  the  more  promising 
cultures  are  being  continued. 

Ryes. — No.  4343,  Abruzzi,  from  Naples,  was  sown  December  1,  1900, 
and  required  fourteen  days  for  germination.  It  came  up  evenly,  and 
made  a  good  stand.  It  headed  out  by  March  20, 1901,  and  was  harvested 
and  threshed  in  July,  yielding  a  fairly  good  crop. 

No.  5031,  Schlousted  Winter  Rye,  sown  at  the  same  date,  December  1, 
1900,  also  germinated  in  fourteen  days.  This  variety  headed  by  April 
20,  1901,  yielding  very  fairly  for  the  amount  of  straw. 

No.  5058  was  sown  on  the  same  date,  also  requiring  fourteen  days  for 
germination.     This  kind  headed  by  May  10th,  yielding  fairly. 

These  three  ryes  were  distributed  by  the  Central  station  in  1901. 

Wheats. — No.  3823  (original  seed  of  Gluten  Wheat)  was  sown  Decem- 
ber 10, 1900,  and  required  from  twenty-eight  to  thirty  days  for  germina- 
tion. This  germinated  poorly  and  grew  very  slowly,  but  headed  by 
May  22,  1901.  It  was  harvested  early  in  July  and  seed  saved,  some  of 
which  was  sent  to  Washington,  and  some  to  Berkeley.  Another  plot 
was  sown  in  the  fall  of  1901  from  this  seed,  which  was  somewhat 
shriveled  and  small. 

No.  3823a  (the  first-remove  California-grown  wheat)  was  sown  De- 
cember 10, 1900,  requiring  sixteen  days  for  germination.  It  started  well, 
made  a  good  growth,  headed  by  May  19,  1901,  was  harvested  early  in 
July,  and  threshed.  The  grain  was  more  plump  and  larger,  and  con- 
tained more  starch  than  the  original  seed. 

No.  5486,  "  Dawson  Golden  Chaff,"  sown  December  10,  1900,  required 
sixteen  days  for  germination.  This  germinated  well  and  grew  well, 
although  slowly  at  first.  It  headed  by  May  14, 1901,  and  was  harvested 
early  in  July.    The  grain  was  plump  and  full  and  yielded  a  heavy  crop. 

No.  5493,  "  Fultz,"  was  sown  December  10,  1900,  and  germinated  in 
sixteen  days.  It  headed  by  May  14,  1901,  and  was  harvested  early  in 
July. 

No.  5486  was  sown  December  10,  1900;  it  germinated  well  and  made 
good  growth.  It  headed  by  May  14th,  and  was  harvested  early  in  July. 
This  grain  was  plump  and  full,  heads  being  well  filled. 

No.  5145  (from  Missouri  Experiment  Station)  was  sown  December  29, 
1900,  and  germinated  very  slowly  and  poorly.  The  land  was  very  wet 
and  much  of  the  seed  rotted  in  the  ground.  What  grew  headed  by  May 
25,  1901,  and  was  harvested  early  in  July.  The  heads  were  well  filled 
and  grain  was  plump  and  full. 

Barley. — No.  5590  was  sown  December  20,  1900,  and  germinated  in 
twenty  days.  It  made  a  thick,  heavy  growth,  headed  by  May  1st,  and 
ripened  by  June  5th.     This  was  cut  and  threshed  by  July. 

No.  5592  was  sown  December  25,  1900,  and  germinated  in  twenty 
days.  It  made  a  heavy  growth,  headed  April  26, 1901,  and  was  ripe  by 
June  1st. 

No.  5793  (Moravian  or  Hanna)  was  received  late,  so  was  not  sown 
until  February  27,  1901,  but  germinated  in  seven  days,  making  a  good 
stand.  It  headed  by  May  25th  and  was  ripe  June  15th.  This  gave  a 
very  heavy  crop. 


SOUTHERN    COAST    RANGE    SUBSTATION — SEEDS.  39 

Vetches. — All  the  vetches  noted  in  the  chapter  on  the  Sierra  Foothill 
Station  have  been  tested  here  for  several  seasons.  Vicia  narbonensis 
(No.  1509),  sown  November  24th,  bloomed  March  20th,  and  made  fair 
early  growth,  but  dried  up  by  June  1st  and  did  not  mature  seeds.  No. 
1507  was  not  injured  by  the  spring  frosts,  but  made  small  growth.  The 
one  best  adapted  to  the  region  is  the  Hairy  Vetch,  which  has  been 
grown  alone  and  mixed  with  rye  or  oats.  Sown  in  November  or 
December,  it  germinates  in  from  fifteen  to  eighteen  days  and  can  be  cut 
for  hay  the  first  week  in  June.  Hairy  Vetch  sown  November  8th  with 
Russian  rye  (No.  1342)  did  very  poorly;  sown  with  oats  (No.  1178)  the 
same  date,  it  made  an  excellent  stand. 

Egyptian  Clover.—  Nos.  4254  and  4256  were  sown  December  21,  1900, 
and  required  twenty-one  days  for  germination,  which  was  good  in  both 
varieties.  Both  made  good  growth  for  a  time  and  stood  three  inches 
high,  when  both  were  badly  injured  by  April  frosts  and  the  foliage 
killed.  The  stems  survived  and  began  to  put  forth  new  growth,  but 
finally  died  without  making  any  growth  to  speak  of. 

The  district  is  as  a  rule  too  cold  for  this  plant.  In  1899,  however,  it 
was  the  best  clover  grown  at  the  substation;  but  in  1899  many  clovers 
grew  very  well. 

Canaigre. — The  canaigre  now  growing  on  the  substation  is  from  seed 
sown  in  the  spring  of  1899  and  planted  out  in  rows  January  3,  1901, 
when  the  roots  averaged  six  to  the  pound.  The  tops  died  down  during 
the  summer,  but  new  growth  came  up  after  the  rains  set  in  and  was 
from  eight  to  ten  inches  high  by  the  end  of  February.  Canaigre  does 
well  here. 

Dwarf  Essex  Rape. — Seed  of  this  well-known  forage  plant  was  sown 
November  26,  1900,  and  germinated  in  nineteen  days.  By  April  1, 
1901,  it  averaged  eighteen  inches  in  height.  A  portion  was  then  cut, 
and  yielded  at  the  rate  of  over  9-J  tons  per  acre.  By  May  7th  it  aver- 
aged over  two  feet  in  height.  A  portion  was  then  cut,  and  yielded  at 
the  rate  of  over  15  tons  per  acre.  At  this  time  many  of  the  plants  were 
in  bloom,  and  the  stalks  were  woody.  Cows  rejected  the  ends  of  the 
stalks,  but  sheep  ate  stalk  and  all.  The  portions  cut  April  1st  and 
later,  made  new  growth  of  over  one  foot  high  by  June  1st.  This  new 
growth  continued  green  all  summer,  and  cows,  horses,  and  sheep  kept 
feeding  on  it,  and  when  the  ground  was  broken  up  for  hay  in  December, 
the  roots  were  still  green  and  throwing  up  new  growths.  This  rape 
promises  to  become  a  very  profitable  plant  to  cultivate  in  this  district. 

March  Rape. — No.  1449,  from  the  Department,  was  sown  November 
10,  1899,  and  germinated  in  ten  days.  It  began  to  bloom  March  4, 
1900,  when  only  six  to  eight  inches  high.  The  Dwarf  Essex  Rape  is 
much  better  adapted  to  this  locality.  Sown  the  same  year,  on  October 
25th,  the  Essex  Rape  germinated  in  six  days  and  stood  eighteen  or 
twenty  inches  high  by  March  1,  1900.  When  cut  for  hay  during  April 
it  yielded  13  tons  of  green  fodder  per  acre.  As  noted  in  the  preceding 
paragraph,  Essex  Rape  did  even  better  than  this  the  following  season, 
1900-1901.  At  Amador  substation,  however,  March  Rape  far  surpassed 
the  Essex. 


40  UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT   STATION. 

Turkestan  Alfalfa. — Nos.  1150  and  1151  were  sown  November  11, 1899, 
each  taking  nine  days  to  germinate.  Both  made  short  growths,  aver- 
aging about  six  inches,  and  were  pretty  well  dried-out  by  May  25th,  but 
the  roots  survived  and  started  again  the  following  winter. 

Bromus  inermis  (No.  3004). — This  grass,  sown  November  8,  1899, 
requiring  twelve  days  for  germination,  made  a  short  growth  and  was 
dried  up  by  June  1,  1900.  In  some  years  this  grass  remains  green  until 
August.     It  is  worthy  of  extended  planting. 

Russian  Millet. — No.  1387  was  sown  March  21,  1900,  and  required 
fifteen  days  for  germination.  It  was  irrigated  several  times,  headed  by 
June  5,  1900,  and  ripened  by  July  26th.     The  yield  was  very  poor. 

Broad  Beans. — No.  1454  was  sown  November  11,  1899,  germinated 
November  26th,  and  bloomed  March  17th  when  three  feet  high.  Destroyed 
by  frosts  of  early  April  and  subsequent  hot  weather.  All  beans  of  this 
class  have  failed  here,  chiefly  by  reason  of  late  spring  frost. 

Lentils. — Nos.  1466  and  1483  were  sown  at  various  times,  as  also  a 
collection  from  Vilmorin,  and  the  noted  Big  Hiller  Lentil  of  the  Volga 
region.  Sown  late  in  November,  they  bloom  about  the  end  of  April  and 
make  a  good  early  growth,  covering  the  ground.  The  heat  of  summer 
dries  them  up,  and  they  seldom  mature  seed. 

Goafs  Rue. — No.  1456,  sown  November  27,  1900,  made  very  poor 
growth.  Some  remained  green  until  the  following  August.  Goat's  Rue 
will  not  stand  the  summers  here. 

Safflower. — No.  1343,  sown  December  4th,  grew  three  feet  high,  bloomed 
May  30th,  and  kept  green  until  autumn. 

Foxtail  Furze. — No.  1446,  sown  November  11th,  germinated  December 
12th,  and  grew  ten  inches  high  the  first  season.  It  stood  the  dry  weather 
very  well,  and  seems  worthy  of  extended  trial. 

Alfalfa  from  the  Estrella. — Seeds  of  a  selected  alfalfa  from  Mr.  J. 
Marden,  of  the  Estrella,  said  to  be  quite  resistant,  sown  November  15, 
1899,  has  stood  the  dry  weather  better  than  did  the  Turkestan.  All  the 
varieties  of  alfalfa  tested  here  required  some  water  in  summer  to  carry 
them  through. 

Iris  pabularia. — Widely  advertised  as  a  dry-land  forage  plant.  Its 
leaves  die  down  to  the  ground  here  by  the  middle  of  July,  but  the  roots 
remain  alive. 

Lathyrus  sylvestris  (No.  1460). — This  pea  has  been  grown  here  for  a 
number  of  seasons.  It  must  be  sown  early.  It  makes  poor  growth,  but 
remains  green  without  irrigation  until  the  end  of  July. 

Rye-Grasses ,  Clovers,  etc. — A  collection  of  rye-grasses  from  Sutton  & 
Co.  was  sown  here  November  24, 1899.  All  need  irrigation  to  keep  alive. 
The  same  is  true  of  white  clover,  red  clover,  yellow  trefoil,  Triticum 
scabrum  of  New  Zealand,  Cynosurus  cristatus,  and  a  great  number  of 
well-known  forage  plants.  Schrader's  Brome-grass  (B.  unioloides)  will 
grow  two  feet  high  in  ordinary  years,  ripening  seed  in  June,  but  dried 
up  by  June  30th.     Elymus  glaucus  (wild  rye)  makes  a  good  stand  and 


SOUTHERN    COAST   RANGE    SUBSTATION — VEGETABLES.  41 

will  in  some  seasons  stay  green  until  July.  E.  canadensis  and  other 
species  tested  here  were  about  the  same  as  E.  glaucus  in  drought-resist- 
ance, excepting  E.  condensatus  (giant  rye-grass),  which  kept  green  in 
1899  until  autumn  without  irrigation,  far  surpassing  in  this  respect 
Bromus  inermis. 

Jersey  Kale. — This  plant,  after  many  years'  trial  here,  is  found  to  stand 
the  dry  climate  reasonably  well,  and  it  keeps  green  all  summer  without 
irrigation.  Livestock  eat  it  readily  and  it  is  much  used  in  the  vicinity 
as  green  feed  for  poultry. 

Saltbushes. — Rhagodia  nutans  and  R.  spinescens  inermis  grow  moder- 
ately well  here,  but  the  latter  is  much  better  than  the  former.  Atriplex 
cachiyuyunij  A.  pamparum,  and  A.  nummularia  are  all  doing  well  on  the 
substation.  These  make  very  heavy  growth  and  stand  the  dry  climate 
superbly.  When  measured  May  7, 1901,  plants  set  out  from  seed  boxes 
May  23,  1900,  were  in  size  as  follows : 

Best  Plant.  Average. 

Height.  Spread.  Height.  Spread. 

Atriplex  nummularia 26  in.  20  in.         20  in.  15  in. 

Atriplex  pamparum 18"  36"  14"  30" 

Atriplex  cachiyuyum 16"  36"  12"  30" 

Rhagodia  spinescens  inermis 27"  30"  18"  18" 

Rhagodia  nutans 10"  20"  6"  14" 

These  saltbushes  were  cultivated  but  not  irrigated  since  transplanting. 
They  have  not  suffered  from  frost,  although  the  temperature  fell  to  17° 
Fahr.  three  nights  in  succession  in  January,  1901. 

VEGETABLES. 

The  climatic  conditions  are  well  shown  by  the  foreman's  notes  on  a 
small  vegetable  garden  in  1899  and  1900. 

Radishes  (scarlet  turnip)  sown  February  13th  were  ready  for  use 
March  25th.  Sown  October  2d,  were  fit  to  pull  October  25th.  White 
Chinese  and  Osaka  radishes  sown  October  2d  were  ready  for  use  November 
10th,  and  so  continued  until  March  10th.  Radishes  sown  in  March  were 
valueless. 

Lettuce  in  large  variety  sown  February  13th,  made  excellent  heads 
by  May  1st  and  were  used  until  June  10th.  Volunteer  lettuces  starting 
with  the  October  rains  were  fit  to  use  by  Christmas. 

Onion  sets  planted  February  14th  were  used  March  25th.  Onion 
seed  planted  the  same  day  grew,  but  the  plants  failed. 

Carrots,  turnips,  table  beets,  and  garden  peas,  sown  February  14th 
and  March  28th,  also  failed  to  mature.  Rostow  sugar  peas  sown  Janu- 
ary 28th,  however,  made  a  start  and  peas  were  fit  for  use  May  10th. 
Rutabagas  in  variety  did  better  than  the  white  turnips.  Carrots  sown 
October  2d  were  ready  for  use  January  20th. 

Spinach  (Victoria),  also  sown  October  2d,  was  fit  to  cut  February  10th, 
and  "  yielded  four  crops." 

Garden  beets  sown  in  October  failed  to  mature. 

Purple-top  turnips  sown  October  17th  were  of  marketable  size  Feb- 
ruary 10th. 

As  these  brief  notes  show,  early  planting  is  needful  in  this  district. 
It  is  the  universal  experience  of  farmers  here  that  by  planting  gardens 
with  the  first  rains,  they  can  have  a  great  variety  of  choice  vege- 
tables in  the  spring  months. 


42  UNIVERSITY    OF   CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT    STATION. 


MELONS  AND  SQUASHES. 

The  watermelons  grown  in  this  region  are  generally  of  excellent 
quality,  but  muskmelons  do  not  do  as  well;  the  vines,  as  well  as  those 
of  squashes,  suffer  from  sunburn.  The  following  notes  are  mainly 
from  those  taken  by  the  foreman,  Mr.  Barber,  on  various  melons,  etc., 
grown  in  1900.     All  were  on  good  soil,  none  on  "hardpan." 

Kleckley  Sweet  (Watermelon). — Seed  planted  March  31st,  germinated 
twenty  per  cent  April  20th.  The  first  melon  was  ripe  August  28th. 
Long,  narrow  oval  in  shape,  dark  green,  with  thin  rind.  Flesh  red, 
tender,  crisp,  juicy,  sweet.  Fine  quality  and  flavor.  Seeds  white. 
Weight  up  to  fifteen  pounds.     Did  not  bear  well. 

Fordhook  Early. — Planted  March  31st,  germinated  eighty  per  cent 
April  19th.  First  melon  ripened  August  5th.  A  broad,  irregular  oval 
melon,  jade-green  and  mottled;  rind  thin.  The  early  melons  were  of 
poor  quality,  juicy  but  not  sweet,  with  a  hard  core.  The  later  ones  were 
much  better,  tender,  juicy,  and  sweet,  with  red  flesh  and  good  flavor. 
Seeds  white.     Weight  up  to  eighteen  pounds.     Bore  well. 

Hungarian  Honey. — Planted  March  31st;  germinated  sixty  per  cent 
on  May  4th,  a  very  slow  germination — seed  probably  old.  The  first 
melon  ripened  August  20th.  It  was  very  small,  round,  dull  green,  and 
mottled.  The  rind  was  thin;  flesh  tender,  juicy,  and  very  sweet. 
Flavor  excellent.  Seeds  brown.  Vines  poor  bearers  and  fruit  too 
small  for  market.  In  some  seasons  and  places  the  melons  of  this  small, 
round  type  are  among  the  most  popular  for  local  consumption  in  the 
Coast  Range  towns,  weighing  from  five  to  ten  pounds.  At  the  substation 
this  melon  has  never  been  large,  but  it  was  one  of  the  best  a  few  years  ago 
in  the  Willow  Creek  district. 

No.  £269  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture. — The  melon  received  under 
this  number  from  Washington  came  originally  from  Monetta,  South 
Carolina;  was  also  named  the  "  Mathis."  It  belongs  to  the  Kolb  Gem 
type,  and  was  said  to  be  a  fine  shipper.  Sown  April  12th,  only  one 
seed  germinated,  May  4th,  and  was  destroyed  by  squirrels. 

No.  119 If  from  the  Department  of  Agriculture. — This  interesting  water- 
melon from  Sarmakand,  Russian  Turkestan,  was  sown  March  31st. 
One  hill  grew,  May  4th,  and  the  first  melon  ripened  August  5th.  The 
fruit  was  globular,  pale  green,  with  slightly  darker  stripes;  rind  thin; 
flesh  pink,  very  tender,  crisp,  juicy,  sweet,  and  "melting  like  sherbet." 
Quality  in  all  respects  very  fine.  The  melon  was  very  small,  however. 
The  seeds  were  black  and  small. 

Other  watermelons  received  from  the  Department  of  Agriculture  were 
No.  1070,  a  variety  from  Kief,  known  as  the  "Monastery";  No.  1089, 
from  Odessa;  and  No.  1220,  from  Tashkent  in  Turkestan.  The  first  of 
these  three  was  an  excellent,  small  striped  melon,  but  rather  late.  The 
others  did  not  germinate.  The  largest  of  all  the  melons  received  from 
Asia  was  No.  727,  from  Udjarri,  between  Tiflis  and  Baku,  Transcau- 
casia; a  large,  green-striped  fruit  weighing  up  to  eighteen  pounds.  The 
flesh  was  pink,  with  a  tinge  of  yellow,  and  seeds  were  black.  It  had  no 
advantages  over  the  best  American  varieties. 


SOUTHERN    COAST   RANGE    SUBSTATION — MELONS,   ETC.  43 

Kolb  Gem,  a  well-known  sort,  sown  March  31st,  germinated  seventy 
per  cent  April  30th,  and  melons  ripened  June  25th,  thus  beating  Ford- 
hook  First  by  eleven  days.  The  fruit  was  of  excellent  quality.  The 
weight  varied,  up  to  twenty  pounds. 

Honcharenko. — This  was  a  small  but  very  fine  melon  obtained  from 
Agapius  Honcharenko,  near  Haywards,  in  Alameda  County,  and  was 
distributed  in  the  winter  of  1900.  Sown  March  31st,  seed  germinated 
sixty  per  cent  April  19th,  and  the  melons  were  ripe  July  29th,  beating 
Fordhook  First  seven  days.  This  was  a  round  melon  of  pale  green 
color  with  slightly  darker  stripes.  The  rind  was  very  thin  indeed;  flesh 
was  light  red,  crisp,  tender,  juicy,  sweet,  best  flavor.  A  good  bearer.  The 
weight  rose  to  fifteen  pounds  in  a  few  cases,  though  many  ran  from  five 
to  ten  pounds.  This  was  one  of  the  best  melons  ever  grown  at  the  sub- 
station. 

The  Small-Seeded  Melons. — There  is  much  resemblance  between  the 
three  small,  round  melons,  Hungarian  Honey,  Honcharenko,  and 
No.  1194  from  Sarmakand,  and  the  last-named,  the  smallest  of  the 
three,  may  well  be  the  original  type  from  which  the  others  came,  one  by 
way  of  the  "central  route"  into  northwestern  Europe,  the  other  by  the 
way  of  Asia  Minor  to  Mount  Lebanon,  whence  Father  Honcharenko,  a 
priest  of  the  Eastern  Church,  obtained  it.  All  three  melons  are  highly 
drought-enduring,  the  small,  narrow  leaves  curling  up  edgewise  more 
completely  than  do  the  leaves  of  the  larger  sorts,  and  all  three  are 
usually  prolific. 

Pumpkins  and  Squashes. — The  Red  Etampes  and  the  Mammoth 
Tours  pumpkins  and  the  Cashaw  squash,  planted  April  3d,  germinated 
April  19th  and  grew  well  for  a  time,  but  were  attacked  by  "  wilt  disease," 
and  only  the  Cashaw  squash  survived,  making  a  poor  growth  and  yield- 
ing only  a  few  squashes. 


44  UNIVERSITY   OF   CALIFORNIA— EXPERIMENT    STATION. 


THE  SAN  JOAQUIN  VALLEY  SUBSTATION. 

(One  mile  southeast  of  Tulare  City,  Tulare  County.    Elevation  of  site 
above  sea-level,  282  feet.) 


This  substation,  perhaps  more  nearly  than  any  other,  is  the  direct  out- 
growth of  a  long-continued  study  of  one  of  the  greatest  of  agricultural 
problems.  "Alkali  lands/'  which  are  rendered  more  or  less  unfit  for  use 
by  reason  of  an  excess  of  salts  of  various  sorts,  exist  over  large  areas  and 
in  many  parts  of  the  world.  In  the  San  Joaquin  Valley  and  other  por- 
tions of  California  the  presence  of  surplus  alkali  constitutes  the  chief 
difficulty  of  the  land-owners,  and  efforts  to  conquer  it  date  back  to  the 
beginning  of  agriculture  in  these  regions. 

Alkali  soils  were  discussed  in  the  biennial  report  of  the  College  of 
Agriculture  for  1875-6,  page  43,  and  again  much  more  in  detail  in  the 
following  biennial,  1877-8,  pages  30-39.  As  the  great  importance  of  the 
subject  has  become  manifest  in  succeeding  years,  more  and  more  atten- 
tion has  been  given  to  it  by  the  California  station,  so  that  the  bulletins 
and  portions  of  reports  on  the  subject  issued  in  the  past  twenty-five 
years  would  form,  if  collected,  a  large  volume. 

The  Tulare  substation,  established  in  1888,  has  since  that  date  tested 
an  enormous  number  of  different  species  of  plants  on  various  grades  of 
alkali.  The  results  are  scattered  throughout  recent  publications,  and 
form  the  most  complete  series  of  such  experiments  which  have  been  made 
in  the  United  States.  Over  and  over  again  seeds  are  received  as  "new  in 
the  San  Joaquin  Valley, "  or  "worth  trial  there,"  which  were  long  ago 
given  a  thorough  test  and  found  worthless.  None  of  the  cowpeas  (  Vigna 
catjang),  for  instance,  are  of  any  avail  here,  and  none  of  the  vetches  can 
be  said  to  succeed  on  alkali  soils;  but  questions  are  still  asked  every 
year  about  both  cowpeas  and  vetches,  which  thrive  in  the  Sierra  foot- 
hills, twenty  miles  distant. 

The  progress  of  actual  work  in  alkali  reclamation  and  the  history  by 
charts  of  the  rise  of  alkali  here,  were  given  in  Part  II  of  the  report  for 
1898-1901.  The  present  season  of  1902  is  in  some  respects  the  hardest 
one  for  agricultural  work  since  1888,  and  results  can  be  shown  only  on 
irrigated  areas;  and  not  always  there,  owing  to  the  way  in  which  the 
heavier  alkali  soils  run  together  when  wet,  preventing  germination  of 
seeds. 

Changes  and  Improvements. — There  has  been  little  money  spent  on 
this  substation  since  the  issuance  of  the  report  of  1897-8.  A  new  well 
was  sunk  and  a  pump  and  horsepower  installed.  In  order  to  make  irri- 
gation effective,  five  or  six  acres  should  be  graded,  and  a  pipe,  or  wooden 
boxes,  used  to  carry  and  measure  the  water  accurately.  No  changes 
have  occurred  in  the  local  officers;  Mr.  Julius  Forrer  remains  foreman, 
and  Mr.  John  Tuohy,  Patron. 

Local  Value  of  the  Station. — In  1900  and  1901  the  substation  made 
extensive  exhibits  at  the  agricultural  fairs  of  Tulare  and  Kings  coun- 


SAN   JOAQUIN    VALLEY    SUBSTATION — CLIMATE.  45 

ties,  and  distributed  bulletins,  seeds  of  saltbushes,  etc.  The  distribution 
of  cuttings  of  figs,  grapes,  mulberries,  etc.,  has  been  extensive  for  the 
past  ten  or  more  years.  A  small  price  is  now  put  on  grape  cuttings  to 
aid  the  "sale  fund,"  and  the  demand  increases  each  year.  Local  corre- 
spondence and  number  of  visitors  are  greater  than  formerly. 

CLIMATE. 

The  climate  of  the  region,  while  healthful,  places  decided  limitations 
upon  plant  growth.  With  water,  and  wherever  the  amount  of  alkali  is 
on  the  safe  side,  very  large  staple  crops  are  grown,  and  some  fruits  are 
extremely  successful.  There  are  such  large  areas  where  these  conditions 
prevail  that  the  prosperity  of  the  upper  San  Joaquin  as  a  whole  is  perma- 
nent, but  still  the  areas  where  plant  life  suffers  are  of  considerable 
extent,  and  in  such  places  irrigation,  drainage,  and  alkali-reclamation 
are  essential. 

Rainfall. — The  average  rainfall  for  the  past  twelve  years  at  this  point 
has  been  8.37  inches.  The  average  at  Tulare  City  is  less  than  at  Visalia, 
Porterville,  or  Hanford,  all  points  in  the  valley  within  twenty  miles 
distance.  Visalia  and  Porterville  are  nearer  the  Sierra,  and  Hanford, 
farther  west  and  north,  is  nearer  the  ocean  and  the  Coast  Range.  The 
following  table  gives  the  rainfall  in  inches  at  the  substation  for  ten 
years  past  and,  with  the  comments  which  accompany  it,  illustrates  the 
differences  of  successive  seasons: 

Rainfall  (inches)  by  Months  for  Twelve  Seasons. 

Season.                Sept.  Oct.  Nov.  Dec.  Jan.  Feb.  Mar.  April.  May.  Total. 

1892-3.. _ 00  .26  .39  1.51  .64  1.20  3.02  .33  .00  7.35 

1893-4 _.      .00  .00  .05  1.07  1.24  .38  .77  .09  .26  3.86 

1894-5 00  .18  .02  2.44  3.25  1.23  .86  .60  .60  9.18 

1895-6 .00  .43  .98  .36  1.78  .01  .72  .14  .14  4.56 

1896-7 00  .74  1.11  .59  2.43  1.61  1.73  .00  .00  8.21 

1897-8 .59  .59  .26  .79  .63  .97  .72  .00  .59  5.14 

1898-9 3.75  .01  .16  .19  .92  .14  2.28  .17  .02  7.64 

1899-1900. -      .00  1.35  1.32  1.28  1.02  .10  .77  1.73  2.03  9.60 

1900-1901.. ...-   2.18  .04  2.41  .19  3.27  1.19  .36  1.11  1.87  12.62 

1901-1902 .42  .39  .36  .03  .40  2.28  2.14  .74      6.76 

Such  a  table  as  this  is  difficult  to  explain  to  persons  unused  to  the 
San  Joaquin  region,  but  the  amount  of  rainfall  is  not  nearly  as  deficient 
as  might  appear.  From  7  to  8  inches — the  average  of  the  past  thirty 
years  here — is  sufficient  to  produce  a  crop  of  cereals,  provided  that  this 
small  amount  of  rainfall  is  properly  distributed.  The  amount  of  winter 
irrigation  needed,  therefore,  is  not  great. 

It  is  true,  however,  that  an  unfavorable  distribution  of  the  rainfall 
often  occurs.  In  1898-9  the  rainfall  of  7.64  inches  gave  very  poor  crops, 
almost  a  failure,  in  fact;  but  in  1892-3  a  less  rainfall  (7.35  inches),  well 
distributed,  gave  fair  and  profitable  crops  throughout  this  district.  Even 
the  large  rainfall  of  1900-01  (12.62  inches)  was  so  badly  distributed 
(the  two  inches  which  fell  in  September  being  of  little  or  no  value 
and  the  dry  March  being  very  bad  for  grain)  that  the  season  as  a  whole 
was  but  an  average.  The  present  season  (1901-2)  entirely  lacked  early 
rains  sufficient  to  start  plows.  Two  or  three  inches  of  rain  in  November 
or  December  with  the  February  and  March  rains  received  would  have 
made  large  crops.     Much  of  the  rainfall  of  1899-1900  was  of  little  avail 


46                       UNIVERSITY    OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT  STATION. 

for  farmers,  and  better  distribution  of  the  April  and  May  rains  would 
have  doubled  the  crops.  The  rains  of  1894-5  came  so  as  to  yield  large 
returns,  and  those  of  1896-7  were  also  well  distributed. 

The  application  of  from  6  to  12  inches  of  irrigation  water  (from  a 

half  acre-foot  to  one  acre-foot)   will  evidently  be  sufficient  to  secure 

regular  cereal  and  other  crops  in  such  a  country  as  this. 

Temperature. — The  temperature  reports  from  this  and  other  substations 
appear  in  the  United  States  Weather  Bureau  reports,  and  the  leading 

features  of  this  climate  are  now  well  understood.  The  following  table 
shows  the  monthly  summaries  since  and  including  January,  1898: 

Monthly  Summary  of  Temperature. 

Month.  Maximum.    Minimum.    Mean  Max.     Mean  Min.    Mean  Tern. 

1898— January _....            70°                 20°             58.90°  28.90°  43.90° 

February 84                  32               72.50  39.71  56.10 

March 92                   24               74.19  35.54  54.87 

April -          106                   32               87.76  54.70  66.73 

May- - 104                  42               85.03  48.96  67.00 

June -          110                   48               98.86  57.40  78.13 

July 112                  54             104.96  61.87  83.41 

August —          112                   50             103.93  60.85  82.25 

September 112                  48               91.80  53.46  72.63 

October 88                  40               82.19  48.71  65.65 

November.. 80                  24               69.93  34.26  52.10 

December 72                  18               60.06  30.19  45.12 

1899— January 78                  26               63.60  36.00  49.38 

February . 84                  18               70.28  31.85  51.07 

March 94                   26               69.87  40.15  55.16 

April 102                   36               80.93  44.66  62.80 

May -—          100                   34               82.06  46.06  64.06 

June — 112                  50               96.66  59.40  78.03 

July - 114                   54             106.45  59.55  83.00 

August 104                   48               95.87  55.35  75.61 

September 108                  46              98.20  53.06  75.63 

October 96                  38               75.87  44.90  60.38 

November 82                  34               68.06  43.60  55.83 

December 70                  28               57.93  38.25  45.09 

1900— January 70                  30               53.22  41.09  47.16 

February 82                  30              66.28  36.92  51.60 

March - 94                  30               76.19  42.83  59.51 

April- --            92                   34               72.60  43.46  58.03 

May    .        - 100                  42               86.06  52.19  69.12 

June       - 108                  50               98.40  59.00  78.70 

July 112                   92             103.48  61.16  82.32 

August.. -          HO                   50               96.45  56.51  76.48 

September.. 100                   42               87.40  49.93  68.66 

October. 96                  30               79.54  45.87  62.70 

November 88                  36               70.80  44.46  57.63 

December 64                  26               53.74  37.35  45.54 

1901— January —            74                  22               58.25  37.67  47.90 

February.... 76                  30               63.22  41.14  52.28 

March        .     84                   28               70.58  39.74  55.16 

April          86                   30               76.20  39.33  57.76 

May    "         - 96                   42               82.12  51.09  66.61 

June"""              112                   46               99.93  54.80  74.36 

July  """            112                   50              103.61  60.31  81.96 

August             110                   50               99.87  62.25  81.06 

September— —          102                  44               88.86  50.06  69.46 

October --          100                  38               85.29  49.35  67.32 

November      — 86                  32               77.06  40.20  58.63 

December.... 78                  18               69.22  30.32  49.77 

1902— January - —            78                   20               56.58  32.00  44.29 

February                 92                   24               69.14  39.78  54.46 

March        "           -            90                   32               68.00  39.54  53.77 

April.."-! 88                   38               75.46  43.66  59.56 

May ---  --  

June ---  --  


SAN   JOAQUIN    VALLEY    SUBSTATION — CLIMATE.  47 

The  highest  temperature  ever  recorded  at  Tulare  was  120°  Fahr.;  the 
highest  recorded  at  the  substation  since  1888  was  119°  (in  July,  1892, 
and  June  and  August,  1895).  Since  1895  the  thermometer  has  not 
recorded  over  114°  (July,  1899),  but  has  often  reached  112°.  It  is  a 
dry  heat,  healthful,  excellent  for  outdoor  labor,  and  where  the  water 
supply  has  been  sufficient,  is  excellent  for  many  kinds  of  crops.  Where 
surplus  alkali  does  not  interfere,  the  climate  produces  unsurpassed 
peaches,  raisin  grapes,  alfalfa,  etc. 

FROSTS    AND   FROST   EFFECTS. 

Severe  frosts  are  common,  and  in  this  part  of  the  valley  seriously 
limit  the  culture  of  some  otherwise  profitable  crops,  such  as  figs, 
olives,  and  oranges.  All  these  belong  to  the  region  nearer  the  foothills. 
The  lowest  temperature  recorded  at  the  substation  was  17°  Fahr.,  but 
points  in  the  district  have  a  minimum  record  of  14°,  and  20°  to  22° 
quite  often  occurs.  At  the  substation  in  eight  successive  winters,  Novem- 
ber averaged  4  frosts  a  year;  December,  9;  January,  7;  February,  3; 
March,  3,  and  April,  1. 

Since  the  last  report,  the  number  of  frosts  recorded  was  as  follows: 

Number  of  Killing  Frosts. 

1900. 

January... 1 

February 3 

March 1 

April 0 

November ._ 0 

December _. 3 

The  number  (22)  of  frosts  in  December,  1901,  beats  the  record  here, 
and  that  of  January  of  the  present  year  is  also  unusual.  Such  long- 
continued  cold  is  very  severe  on  plant  growth,  as  the  following  notes 
will  show: 

The  Carob. — Many  trees  which  have  stood  fairly  well  here  for  many 
years  past  have  now  been  greatly  injured  or  killed  outright  by  frosts. 
The  last  two  of  the  carobs  (Ceratonia  siliqua),  with  trunks  of  3  or  4 
inches  in  diameter,  were  killed  to  the  ground,  but  are  sending  up 
masses  of  sprouts  from  the  crown.  The  tree  is  utterly  unfit  for  this 
district. 

Grevillea  robusta. — This  fine  tree,  which  had  reached  a  height  of  25 
feet  and  a  trunk  diameter  of  7  or  8  inches,  was  badly  affected,  large 
branches  being  killed.  Trees  in  the  town  of  Tulare,  in  Visalia,  and  in 
Hanford  also  suffered.  The  Grevillea,  or  Australian  fern  tree,  is  unfit 
for  planting  in  the  valley. 

Oranges. — Both  sour  and  sweet  stock  oranges  were  nearly  destroyed. 
Another  such  winter  would  compel  the  removal  of  the  stumps.  Young 
growth  now  starting  freely  requires  several  seasons  to  mature  sufficiently 
to  be  again  reasonably  safe.  Orange  trees  suffered  in  the  surrounding 
country  nearly  to  the  foothills ;  Lindsay,  Porterville,  etc.,  escaped  quite 
well.  A  small  Kumquat,  or  gooseberry  orange  from  Japan,  proved 
hardier  than  the  others.  It  was  somewhat  sheltered  by  a  fig  tree,  but 
still  was  evidently  more  frost-resistant  than  the  standards. 


L901. 

1902. 

Lowest 
Temp. 

7 

17 

20° 

4 

2 

18 

1 

0 

28 

2 

0 

32 

0 

0 

22 

0 

18 

48  UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT   STATION. 

Camphor  (Cinnamomum  camphora). — This  beautiful  and  valuable  tree, 
which  withstands  some  alkali  and  has  hitherto  grown  well  in  the  region, 
suffered  severely.  The  lower  12  or  15  feet  of  leaves  and  side  branches 
were  pretty  well  destroyed,  but  new  buds  have  now  started.  Cold  of 
18°,  and  39  successive  frosts  in  two  months,  December  and  January, 
were  all  that  this  tree  could  stand — marking  the  extreme  limit  of  its 
endurance.  The  top  of  the  tree  was  untouched  and  it  will  recover 
rapidly. 

Olives. — The  olive  trees  have  nearly  all  suffered.  The  crop  was  of 
course  destroyed  in  all  cases  where  it  remained  on  the  trees  after 
December  1st.  The  following  varieties  were  very  badly  injured,  the 
trees  being  practically  frozen  to  the  ground,  or  at  least  to  the  main  stem. 

Nevadillo  bianco Killed  to  the  ground  in  heavy  alkali  soil;  half  killed  in  sandy  soil. 

Corregiolo Only  injured  in  heavy  alkali. 

Razzo Badly  affected  everywhere. 

Atrorubens _..  Worst  in  the  alkali  soil. 

Columbella Partially  frozen  on  alkali  soil. 

Nigerina Injured  only  in  heavy  soil. 

Rubra _  Injured  in  heavy  soil;  not  touched  on  the  sand. 

Uvaria Partially  frozen. 

The  most  tender  of  all  these  trees  is  Nevadillo  bianco,  which  has  no 
value  here.  The  following  varieties  of  olives  stood  the  frost  consider- 
ably better  than  the  preceding  list: 

Amellau  Lavagnino  Mission  Piangente  Regalis. 

Atroviolacea  Macrocarpa  Oblonga  Picholine  (true)  Salonica 

Bella  de  Spagna  Manzanillo  Palazzriolo  Pleureur  Tagiasco 

Frantoio  Morchaio  Pendulina  Polymorpha 

Prsecox  has  hitherto  been  very  hardy;  this  year  it  suffered  consider- 
ably. Atroviolacea  also  suffered  some  that  year.  On  the  sandy  soil 
the  following  varieties  were  not  injured:  Rubra,  Manzanillo,  Salonica, 
Oblonga,  Mission,  and  Macrocarpa. 

The  best  olives  here  for  hardiness  prove  to  be  the  following:  Macro- 
carpa, Manzanillo,  Mission,  Oblonga,  Pendulina,  Redding  Picholine, 
and  Salonica.  Where  there  is  little  alkali  and  the  soil  is  light,  a  few 
others  make  good  trees  and  withstand  frost  fairly  well,  but  the  safer 
list  on  heavier  soil  includes  only  the  seven  varieties  mentioned.  The 
oldest  trees  near  the  house  suffered  more  than  in  previous  years,  and 
here  the  Mission  and  Columbella  were  noticeably  the  best,  and  were 
full  of  bloom  by  May  1,  1902.  Columbella  is  tender  on  the  heavy 
alkali  soil;  on  light  and  less  alkaline  soil  it  is  one  of  the  best. 

African  Date  Palms. — These  have  suffered  more  during  the  last  winter 
from  frost  than  in  any  previous  year.  None  were  killed,  but  all,  even 
Seevah,  the  hardiest,  were  cut  back  badly.  This  variety  is  the  earliest 
bloomer;  it  was  in  flower  April  1st,  Amhat  and  other  male  plants  being 
generally  only  in  sheath  then.  The  impossibility  of  natural  pollina- 
tion is  evident.  If  this  plantation  were  at  Lindsay  or  Porterville  it 
would  grow  much  better  and  perhaps  the  varieties  would  bloom  nearer 
together,  as  the  more  tender  sorts  are  the  ones  whose  growth  is  severely 
checked  and  which  blooms  late.  None  of  the  palms  except  Seevah 
bloomed  in  1899  or  1900.     In  1901  two  male  varieties  bloomed. 

Eucalypts. — On  the  south  side  of  the  station  tract  is  a  row  of  large 
eucalyptus   trees.     These  were   planted  ten  or  twelve  years  ago,    and 


SAN    JOAQUIN    VALLEY    SUBSTATION — CLIMATE. 


49 


many  species  have  done  very  well  here.  Among  these  are  E.  amygdalina, 
E.  corynocalyx,  E.  rostrata,  and  E.  viminalis.  The  common  blue  gum 
(E.  globulus)  has  often  suffered  from  frost.  This  winter  (1901-2)  many 
species  were  severely  injured,  the  young   shoots  and   lesser   branches 


PLATE  4.    Eucalyptus  Viminalis  on  Strong  Alkali. 

being  killed.  The  photograph  (Plate  4),  which  shows  a  large  E.  vim- 
inalis in  the  center,  illustrates  how  well  these  eucalypts  have  grown  on 
quite  strong  alkali  soil. 

In  this  district  the  best  species  to  plant  are  undoubtedly  E.  rostrata, 
E.  viminalis,  E.  corynocalyx,  and  E.  amygdalina,  all  strong  growers  and 


50  UNIVERSITY    OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT   STATION. 

valuable  trees,  with  E.  globulus,  the  most  rapid  grower,  worth  using 
only  where  it  does  not  suffer  from  frosts.  There  is  at  Tulare  City  a 
large  grove  of  eucalypts  made  by  the  Southern  Pacific.  Here  some 
fifteen  species  are  represented,  and  nearly  all  have  done  well,  the  more 
tender  species  being  sheltered  by  the  taller  and  hardier  trees. 
E.  eugenioides,  E.  leucoxylon,  E.  robusta,  and  E.  obliqua  are  in  this  col- 
lection. 

THE  ORCHARD. 

The  substation  orchard  has  remained  about  the  same  for  the  past  few 
years,  the  alkali  being  controlled  by  small  applications  of  gypsum,  as 
elsewhere  noted.  The  quality  of  some  of  the  fruit  is  better  than  it  was  a 
few  years  ago,  as  the  trees  are  now  in  these  cases  healthier.  Experience 
has  shown  that  this  region  is  unfitted  for  certain  lines  of  fruit  culture, 
but  there  is  undoubtedly  some  reaction  toward  more  planting  of  suitable 
sorts  and  on  good  land.  The  substation  orchard  has  now  been  main- 
tained a  long  time  and  is  very  significant  in  its  results.  No  other 
orchard  now  exists  which  was  set  at  the  same  time  on  similar  soil. 

Apples. — No  more  apple  trees  have  yielded  to  alkali,  and  the  crops 
since  1896  have  been  of  increasing  quality  and  size.  The  following 
table  shows  the  varieties  which  did  best  in  1901.  Some  of  the  fruit  was 
quite  small,  but  most  of  it  was  of  fair  size  and  some  very  large.  The 
"ripening  season"  is  notably  at  variance  with  that  of  the  same  varieties 
in  other  districts: 

Apple  Statistics  at  Tulare  Substation. 
Name.  Began  to  Ripen.      Average  Weight. 


Alexander 

Bledsoe 

Fameuse 

Grimes'  Golden 

Hoover 

Jonathan - 

Keswick  Codlin 

Lincoln 

Loy 

Missouri  Pippin .._ 

Mountain  Beauty  (crab) 

Northern  Spy 

Pewaukee - 

Red  Bietigheimer 

Rhode  Island  Greening  . 

Shirley --- 

Violet 

Whitney  Crab 

White  Astrachan    

White  Winter  Pearmain 


July  19 

8^  oz 

Aug.  22 

9 

Sept.  14 

4H    " 

Sept.  28 

7A    " 

Sept.    8 

VA    " 

Sept.  14 

5 

Aug.    8 

2y2    " 

Aug.    1 

6        " 

Aug.    2 

7K    " 

Sept.    8 
July  12 

6 

lA    " 

Sept.  28 

5 

Sept.  28 

8 

July  19 

12 

Sept.  15 

7 

Sept.  25 

6 

Aug.    8 

12K    " 

July  12 

1H    " 

July  24 

12 

Sept.  28 

10 

None  of  the  above  apples  are  good  keepers  here;  they  do  not  last  long 
after  being  gathered,  and  by  November  1st  even  the  winter  sorts  are 
practically  gone.  The  quality  of  the  early  apples  is  somewhat  better 
than  that  of  the  later  sorts,  which  are  apt  to  be  tough  and  tasteless,  fit 
only  for  kitchen  U3e.  In  the  years  of  lowest  summer  temperature  the 
quality  of  the  apples  is  better  than  in  the  hotter  seasons;  sometimes 
many  of  them  are  fairly  cooked  on  the  trees. 

Pears. — The  great  value  of  this  fruit  in  this  region  has  before  received 
comment.     It  is  one  of  the  trees  best  adapted  to  alkali  soils,  when  not 


SAN    JOAQUIN    VALLEY    SUBSTATION — THE   ORCHARD. 


51 


too  strong.  But  in  the  past  three  years  much  blossom  blight  has  injured 
crops  in  the  district,  and  in  1901  there  was  little  fruit  anywhere  except 
at  the  substation,  where  the  little  blight  that  appeared  in  the  spring  of 
1902  was  sprayed  with  copper  solution. 

The  pears  which  bear  best  are  Andre  Desportes,  Beurre  Gifford,  Beurre 
Gris,  Beurre  Clairgeau,  Clapp's  Favorite,  Dearborn  Seedling,  Kennedy, 
Howell,  Idaho,  Lawson,  Mt.  Vernon,  and  White  Doyenne.  Bartlett  has 
hardly  had  an  even  chance,  standing  as  it  does  in  stronger  alkali.  Seckel 
bears  poorly,  but  the  fruit  is  excellent.  Many  other  sorts  bear  well 
some  seasons.     The  following  table  gives  the  statistics  of  an  average  crop: 


Statistics  of  Pear  Orchard. 

-ir„„;„f„  Date  When 

Variety.  Gathered. 

Andre  Desportes July  14 

Bartlett _ Aug.    8 

Beurre"  Gifford July  12 

Beurre  Gris __ _ Oct.    23 

Beurre  d'Amanlis _ __ Aug.    2 

Beurre"  Lucrative _ ._ ..  Aug.    2 

Beurre"  Clairgeau __ Sept.    4 

Beurre  d'Anjou Oct.      2 

Barry  _ _ Oct.    17 

Black  Pear  of  Worcester Oct.      2 

Conseiller  de  la  Cour_ Aug.    8 

Cole.... ._ Aug.  17 

Clapp's  Favorite _ _.  Aug.    2 

Colonel  Wilder Oct.      2 

Dearborn  Seedling Julv  19 

Doyenne  d'Ete"    _ _ June  28 

Doyenne  d'Alencon Oct.    17 

Doyenne  du  Cornice. Oct.    16 

Duchesse  d'Angouleme  .-_ ._ Oct.    17 

Easter  Beurre" Oct.    23 

Forelle... _ Oct.    30 

Flemish  Beauty _ Aug.    8 

Glout  Morceau ._ Oct.    17 

Howell Aug.  21 

Idaho -  Oct.      5 

JeandeWitte Oct     23 

Keiffer Sept.  16 

Kennedy Sept.  16 

Le  Conte    _ Sept.  16 

Lawrence Oct.      6 

Mt.  Vernon. ._ Aug.  28 

Paradise  d'Automne _ Sept.  16 

Pound Oct.    30 

Seckel.... ._  Sept.  16 

Sheldon Oct.    17 

Swan's  Orange Oct.    17 

Vicar  of  Winkfield Sept.    2 

White  Doyenne Sept.  16 

In  the  above  list  the  small  size  of  such  varieties  as  Swan's  Orange 
will  be  observed.  The  surprising  size  of  Idaho  deserves  especial  note. 
Idaho,  Pound,  and  Easter  Beurre  are  always  of  the  largest  size  common 
to  the  variety  named.  Pound  is,  of  course,  merely  a  kitchen  pear,  but 
the  other  two  are  of  good  quality  for  table  use.  In  fact,  as  long  as 
the  trees  remain  healthy  on  this  alkali  soil,  the  fruit  produced  is  excel- 
lent, except  that  it  is  often  hard  at  the  core. 

Quinces. — This  fruit  does  not  much  better  its  previous  bad  report,  need- 
ing more  water  and  less  summer  heat.  Orange  quinces  were  gathered 
October  13th;  average  weight,  6|  ounces ;  quality  somewhat  higher  in 
1901  than  in  former  years. 


Average  Weight. 

sy2 

oz. 

8^ 

(i 

4 

(( 

6K 

11 

5 

" 

4^ 

" 

10 

H 

8 

" 

3 

K 

10 

" 

iom 

" 

12 

'* 

9 

" 

11 

« 

IX 

II 

2K 

II 

4K 

<( 

11 

(« 

13 

(( 

16 

It 

1 

U 

9 

(( 

4 

(( 

4^ 

(1 

24 

" 

4K 

<( 

hh 

" 

9^ 

" 

HM 

" 

4^ 

(t 

7% 

" 

VA 

«( 

2iy2 

II 

3M 

" 

3^ 

" 

3^ 

(( 

^A 

(( 

10 

(( 

52  UNIVERSITY    OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT   STATION. 

Almonds. — Only  valuable  here  for  firewood.  This  nut  has  now  been 
tested  fully.  The  trees  grow  well  in  most  cases.  In  1901,  Bidwell's 
Hardshell  bore  well  here,  but  the  crop  was  destroyed  in  1902.  In  a  few 
sheltered  locations  in  the  town  soft-shell  almonds  bear  crops,  and 
around  Lindsay  and  Porterville  the  almond  does  very  well.  On  Mr. 
Tuohy's  place  in  Tulare  there  is  a  good  crop  this  year  (1902). 

Apricots. — The  crop  here  is  usually  poor.  In  fact,  the  tree  is  com- 
mercially an  entire  failure  and  has  been  so  almost  every  year.  There 
has  been  a  light  crop  about  one  year  in  four.  The  failure  is  due  to  the 
light  frosts  and  to  the  cold,  alkali  soil.  The  fruit  is  also  poor  and  small,, 
as  the  following  table  of  the  crop  of  1901  will  show: 

Apricot  Statistics,  1901. 

Name.  Date  When  Ripe.       Average  Weight. 

Smith's  Triumph.. June  10  1*4  oz. 

Early  Moorpark "     14  1%    « 

Gooley "     14  Y%_    " 

Flickinger —  "     16  V/2    " 

Royal "     16  1%    " 

Oullin'sLate "     14  1%    " 

Hemskirke - "     19  iy2    " 

St.Ambroise "     19  iy2    " 

There  are  some  excellent  apricot  orchards  near  Visalia,  Farmersville^ 
and  Hanford,  but  the  crop  is  generally  a  failure  in  the  Tulare  district. 

Nectarines. — The  trees  sometimes  bear  about  as  well  as  peaches  here,, 
but  seem  a  little  more  susceptible  to  frost,  and  the  fruit  is  not  first  rate. 
The  three  best  varieties  are  Hardwicke,  New  White,  and  Stanwick.  The 
season  of  ripening  ranges  from  July  24th  to  August  8th.  Victoria, 
Lord  Napier,  Boston,  and  Newington  have  not  done  well.  The  largest 
nectarines  grown  here  average  3-|  ounces  each  (Stanwick). 

Peaches. — There  have  been  excellent  crops  for  the  past  five  years. 
Some  seventy-five  varieties  have  been  tested  here  during  the  past  ten 
years.  There  seems  to  be  no  need  to  experiment  much  with  the  Spanish 
and  Southern  types,  as  the  Persian  peaches  continue  to  do  well.  The 
Chinese  Cling  and  the  Honey  peach  are  good  varieties  here,  and  most 
of  the  Southern  kinds  will  do  as  well  as  these.  Still,  as  trees  of  the 
Persian  varieties  remain  healthy  and  bloom  and  leaf  out  in  a  normal 
way,  there  is  no  demand  here  for  different  sorts,  as  there  is  in  portions 
of  southern  California. 

An  amended  list  of  the  best  varieties  here  includes  the  following: 

Clings:  Seller's,  Grover  Cleveland,  Chinese,  Oldmixon. 

Freestones:  Alexander,  Oldmixon  Free,  Elberta,  Lovell,  Morris  White, 
Muir,  Noblesse,  Pickett's  Late,  Salway,  Wheatland. 

As  a  rule,  peaches  grown  here  are  not  very  large,  as  California  peaches 
go.  The  best  sorts  as  grown  at  the  substation  without  irrigation  (aver- 
age rainfall  less  than  9  inches)  are,  however,  of  good  canning  sizes,  and 
the  trees  are  well  loaded,  requiring  two  thinnings  in  the  spring.  The 
fruits  of  such  peaches  average  from  10  to  13  inches  in  circumference, 
according  to  the  variety.  Specimens  of  yellow  clingstones  from  young 
orchards  in  the  district  have  measured  18  inches  in  circumference.  These 
were  mere  monstrosities,  a  few  of  which  were  found  on  fifty  acres  of  trees. 


SAN   JOAQUIN    VALLEY    SUBSTATION — THE    ORCHARD. 


53 


The  following  table  shows  the  dates  of  ripening  and  average  size  of  the 
peaches  on  the  substation: 


Peach  Statistics. 

Name.  When  Ripe. 

Alexander _. _ __ June  10 

Amelia Aug.    9 

Beer's  Smock _.  Sept.  16 

Belle  de  la  Croix July  31 

Belle  Douay... July  24 

Blood  Cling Sept.  26 

Brandywine _  Aug.  18 

Burke  Cling _.  Aug.    5 

Chair's  Choice -.. Aug.  18 

Chinese  Cling Aug.    5 

Cooledge's  Favorite .._ July  19 

Crawford's  Early. Aug.    1 

Crawford's  Late Aug.  21 

Early  Rose _ _.._. Aug.  18 

Elberta Aug.    4 

Golden  Clin g .  Sept.    6 

Governor  Briggs _.  July  24 

Governor  Garland June  10 

Grover  Cleveland Aug.  21 

Hale's  Early June  30 

Henrietta  Cling Sept.  16 

Jennie  Worthen... July     3 

La  Grange Sept.  18 

Late  Admirable _ __ Sept.    4 

Large  Early  York July  19 

Lemon  Cling __ Aug.  31 

Lovell Aug.  26 

Mary's  Choice  .- __ July  24 

McKevitt's Aug.  28 

Morris  White Aug.  14 

Mountain  Rose _ Aug.    4 

Muir Aug.  18 

Newhall... ._ _ Aug.  12 

Noblesse... July  26 

Oldmixon  Cling _ _ Aug.  12 

Oldmixon  Free... ._ Aug.    4 

Pansy  Pabor July  19 

Picquet's  Late Sept.  16 

Richmond Aug.    3 

Rivers'  Early  Red _ June  24 

Roseville  Cling _  _ Aug.  28 

Salway  ...  ' _ ._ Sept.  25 

Seller's  Cling... Aug.  28 

Schumacker Aug.  28 

Stump  the  World Aug.  28 

Susquehanna _ _ Aug.    9 

Thissell's  Free Sept.    2 

Ulattis June  13 

Ward's  Late Sept.  16 

Waterloo June  12 

Wheatland Aug.    4 

Wilkins' Cling Sept.    6 

Wonderful Sept.  18 

Yellow  St.  John July  14 

Yellow  Tuscany July  19 


Average  Weight 
of  One  Peach. 


5 
9 

m 

3 

6 

7% 

8 

9 

7 

3 

6^ 

7K 

5 

&A 

9 

4 

6 

7 

*A 

$A 

5 

7 

7^ 

2 

8 

9V2 

7 

5 

6 

7 

634 

4K 

5 

3 
10 

4 

4 

8 
11 

4 

9 

6K 

»A 

6 

6 

4 

$A 

9 

7 

*A 

6 


oz. 


Plums  and  Prunes. — After  years  of  experiment  here  it  is  certain  that 
the  plum  stock  fails  in  alkali;  peach  stock  does  better,  but  the  fruit 
needs  a  cooler  summer  climate,  a  heavier  loam  soil,  and  more  water. 
The  crop  of  American  and  European  plums  is  often  large,  and  some 
varieties  are  of  excellent  quality.  Plums  and  prunes  succeed  extremely 
well  in  some  portions  of  the  district  where  conditions  are  more  favor- 
able. Among  the  best  plums  and  prunes  here  are  Bavay's  Green  Gage, 
Czar,  Coe's  Golden  Drop,  Belle  de  Septembre,  Reine  Claude,  General 


54  UNIVERSITY    OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT    STATION. 

Hand,  Lawrence,  Tragedy,  Columbia,  Prince  Englebert,  Fellenberg, 
Quackenbos,  Cherry,  and  Robe  de  Sergent.  The  English  Damsons, 
which  for  a  time  did  well,  are  now  a  failure.  The  Japanese  plums 
usually  fail  to  escape  frost. 

The  following  table  shows  the  time  of  ripening  and  average  size  of 
plums  here: 

Statistics  of  Plum  Orchard. 

Name.  When  Ripe.           Average  Weight. 

Bavay's  Green  Gage _ Sept.    6  2  oz. 

Botankio July  25                       3^  " 

Coe's  Golden  Drop _ _ Sept.    6  ..   

Columbia _ ._ ...  July   14  2^  oz 

Czar July  14  1^  " 

Damas  Noir _ July  15                      34  " 

Damson Sept.    5                      \i  " 

Diaper  Rouge _ Aug.    3  1%  " 

Duane's  Purple Aug.    9  1%  " 

Fellenberg July  16  1 

General  Hand Aug.  25  2%  " 

German _ July  27                      %  " 

Golden  Prune Aug.    3  1}£  " 

Green  Gage Aug.    3  1%  " 

Guthrie's  Green  Gage  ...  Aug.    9  1%  " 

Ickworth's  Imperatrice Sept.    6  \%  " 

Imperial  Gage _.  Aug.    9  1%  " 

Jefferson Aug.  25  2  " 

Judson _. Sept.  25  1  " 

Lucombe's  Nonesuch Aug.    8               -     2  " 

Peach. July  14  1%  " 

Prince  Englebert Aug.  14  2  " 

Prince  of  Wales _ Sept.    4  1  " 

Prune  d'Agen  (petite) Sept.    6  1  " 

Quackenbos Sept.    6  2  " 

Robe  de  Sergent Aug.  29  1  " 

St.  Catherine Sept.  26                       %  " 

St.  Lawrence Sept.    6  1V£  " 

Tragedy _ Julv  25                      '%  " 

Victoria... _.  Sept.    6  \%  " 

YellowGage July  25                     %  " 

The  largest  plums  grown  on  the  substation  are  Coe's  Golden  Drop, 
Quackenbos,  and  Peach,  having  average  circumference  of  6  inches,  and 
General  Hand,  average  circumference  7  inches. 

Figs. — It  has  never  been  practicable  to  measure  the  fig  crop.  As  it 
ripens,  birds  and  visitors  carry  it  off.  In  general  terms,  some  varieties 
bear  heavily  every  year,  and  a  list  of  "best  sorts"  can  now  be  offered 
with  entire  confidence.  Hardiness  is  an  important  factor  of  success  in 
this  district.  Nearer  the  foothills  many  varieties  which  fail  here  prove 
among  the  leading  sorts.  The  frosts  of  1901-2  severely  injured  a  num- 
ber of  old  trees.  Hirtu  du  Japon  is  about  the  best  of  all  the  varieties 
grown  here  for  table  use;  it  is  a  delicious  fig,  a  good  bearer  and  quite 
hardy.  Doree  Narbus  is  very  early  and  a  small  but  delicious  fig. 
Ronde  Violette  Hative  is  an  excellent  variety,  so  is  Brown  Ischia. 
White  Bourjassotte  is  a  poor  grower,  but  the  fruit  is  first  class.  Du  Roi 
is  too  tender  for  the  district,  and  must,  with  reluctance,  be  discarded; 
it  is  strongly  recommended  for  the  foothills.  Negro  Larga,  one  of  the 
largest  and  finest  figs  near  the  mountains,  is  also  of  doubtful  hardiness 
here,  although  it  bore  well  in  1901.  The  White  Adriatic  bears  well 
every  year. 

The  figs  which,  considered  merely  as  trees,  have  grown  best  in  the 
past  fourteen  years  at  this  substation,  are,  named  in  order  of  value,  the 


SAN    JOAQUIN    VALLEY    SUBSTATION — THE   VINEYARD.  55 

following:  Doree  Narbus,  Hirtu  du  Japon,  Ronde  Violette  Hative,  White 
Adriatic,  Brown  Iscbia,  Bourjassotte  Grise,  Col  di  Signora  Bianca,  De 
Constantine,  Pastiliere,  Brown  Turkey,  and  Bulletin  Smyrna.  Some  of 
these  do  not  bear  well;  others  are  of  poor  quality.  The  three  most 
valuable  table  sorts  for  the  district,  all  things  considered,  are  Hirtu  du 
Japon,  Ronde  Violette  Hative,  and  Brown  Ischia,  all  of  which  are  better 
in  quality  than  White  Adriatic. 

THE    VINEYARD. 

The  value  of  the  vineyard  here  is  further  noted  under  the  heading  of 
11  Alkali  Reclamation."  Mr.  Forrer,  the  foreman  of  this  substation,  has 
furnished  some  valuable  practical  notes  upon  varieties  and  cultures 
here,  based  on  years  of  experience.  There  is,  he  says,  a  remarkable 
revival  of  interest  in  grape  culture  in  the  San  Joaquin  Valley,  and  much 
inquiry  is  made  regarding  the  best  sorts  to  plant. 

One  of  the  best,  if  not  the  very  best,  of  all  the  grapes  grown  here  is, 
in  point  of  bearing  quality,  the  Tinta  Val  de  Penas,  a  fine  upright 
grower,  yielding  large  bunches  of  grapes,  ripening  about  September  1st, 
and  producing  a  good  wine. 

Equal  in  quality  of  wine,  but  a  shy  bearer,  and  less  thrifty  in  growth, 
is  the  Lagrain,  which  also  ripens  early  in  September. 

Grenache  is  well  worth  planting  in  this  district  and  on  such  soil  it 
is  a  thrifty,  strong  upright  grower,  and  a  prolific  bearer. 

Next  to  this  in  point  of  value  here  is  Carignane,  a  heavy  bearer  and 
a  good  grower. 

Alicante  Bouschet  is  also  first  rate,  and  so  is  Aleatico,  Mondeuse, 
Charbono,  Cinsaut,  Aramon,  Crabb's  Black  Burgundy,  and  Mourastel. 
The  latter  has  yielded  from  1,500  to  2,000  pounds  for  thirty  vines 
every  year  since  of  bearing  age. 

Beclan,  though  not  a  good  grower,  is  a  heavy  bearer  for  its  size.  It 
should  always  be  grafted  upon  one  of  the  most  strong-growing  varieties; 
then  its  value  would  be  much  increased. 

Mourisco  Branco,  while  very  thrifty,  is  somewhat  inclined  to  bear 
poorly. 

The  following  black  Italian  grapes  bear  well  and  grow  well:  Tadone, 
Bolgnino,  Paga  debito,  Bollina,  and  Quigliano.  They  can  be  strongly 
recommended  here. 

The  following  white  wine  grapes  do  well  here,  growing  thriftily  and 
yielding  good  crops:  Golden  Chasselas,  Burger,  Folle  Blanche,  Peruno, 
Malmsey,  Beba,  Mantuo  de  Pilas,  and  Palomino. 

Other  excellent  grapes  here  are  Bakator  rouge,  Massana,  Barbarossa, 
Verdal,  Napoleon,  and  Mission.  These,  with  the  varieties  previously 
mentioned,  are  altogether  the  best  grown  at  this  substation  as  regards 
the  three  points:  (a)  resistance  to  alkali,  all  being  on  their  own  roots; 
(6)  heavy  bearing,  and  (c)  thrifty  growth. 


SMALL  CULTURES. 

The  list  of  small  cultures  at  any  given  time  at  this  substation  has 
been  short,  but  the  range  tested  during  a  series  of  years  has  been  great. 
Seeds  sent  by  the  Department  of  Agriculture  are  spoken  of  under  the 
numbers  in  the  Inventory  as  well  as  by  species.     Previous  reports  and 


56  UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT    STATION. 

bulletins  have  from  time  to  time  given  results  with  many  different  plants 
in  alkali  soils. 

Plant  growth  here  comes  naturally  under  several  heads,  such  as  the 
following:  (a)  Drought-enduring  plants,  which  yield  to  alkali  of 
greater  or  less  intensity; 

(b)  Plants  which  need  more  water  than  the  natural  rainfalls,  and 
also  suffer  from  alkali; 

(c)  Plants  which  need  more  water,  but  withstand  large  amounts  of 
alkali; 

(d)  Plants  which  withstand  severe  drought  and  also  a  high  amount 
of  alkali. 

Severe  winter  frosts  still  further  increase  the  difficulties  of  plant  life 
and  reduce  the  number  of  "all  around  successes." 

The  Saltbushes. — It  remains  true  here  and  at  many  other  points  in  the 
San  Joaquin  where  thorough  tests  have  been  made,  that  the  atriplexes, 
rhagodias,  and  other  saltbushes  are  of  great  economic  importance.  This 
has  been  so  fully  stated  in  previous  publications,  such  as  Bulletin  No. 
125,  and  elsewhere  in  this  and  in  the  previous  report,  that  an  extended 
paper  is  not  now  needed. 

The  opinion  of  the  late  Professor  John  A.  Myers,  for  a  long  time 
Director  of  the  West  Virginia  Experiment  Station  and  for  a  number  of 
years  the  American  director  of  the  work  of  the  Nitrate  Propaganda,  may 
justly  be  quoted  here.  Under  date  of  December  5,  1900,  this  able  and 
careful  man  wrote  from  New  York  as  follows,  to  Mr.  W.  C.  Clark  of  San 
Bernardino.  Professor  Myers  said:  "I  have  no  connection  with  the 
University  of  California,  but  I  have  been  exceedingly  interested  in  their 
experiments  with  Australian  saltbush  (Atriplex  semibaccata) .  The  work 
of  the  California  experiment  station  in  introducing  and  developing  this 
plant  for  the  use  of  the  farmers  of  California  is  worth  more  to  the  State 
than  the  entire  experiment  station  has  cost  since  its  beginning  or  will 
cost  for  the  next  fifty  years." 

As  Professor  Myers  several  times  visited  the  substations,  took  notes 
upon  the  yield  of  saltbush  forage,  and  was  familiar  with  the  analyses 
made  here  and  elsewhere,  his  testimony  is  especially  valuable.  At  that 
time,  however,  the  tall  rhagodia  and  still  taller  Argentine  atriplexes  had 
not  been  established  at  Tulare,  and  hence  the  trailing  A.  semibaccata 
was  the  leading  species  which  he  observed.  It  is  still  very  important, 
but  as  many  locations  require  a  taller  and  more  bush-like  plant,  the 
new  A.  pamparum  in  particular  deserves  wide  testing. 

As  shown  in  the  photograph  (Plate  5),  A.  pamparum  and  A.  cachiyu- 
yum  (which  is  quite  similar)  are  very  tall,  strong  plants,  withstanding 
alkali  in  which  grapevines  have  failed.  If  cut  back  as  often  as  necessary, 
these  new  species  make  an  enormous  growth  of  fresh,  soft  forage,  which 
has,  by  analysis,  as  high  a  food  value  as  A.  semibaccata.  A  large  crop  of 
seed  was  gathered  in  the  winter  of  1901-2,  and  experiment  on  a  larger 
scale  is  now  easy.  But  these  Argentine  atriplexes  can  also  be  grown 
from  cuttings.  Cut  back  in  January,  the  stocks  make  new  shoots 
twenty  inches  high,  fit  for  forage  in  three  or  four  months.  This  indi- 
cates, where  there  is  sufficient  water,  at  least  three  or  four  crops  a  year. 
The  growth  in  warm  weather  will  be  much  more  rapid  than  in  January- 
April. 

The  half-tall,  shrubby  atriplexes,  such  as  vesicaria  and  halimoides, 
which  several  years  ago  seemed  so  entirely  at  home  here,  when  last 


SAN    JOAQUIN    VALLEY    SUBSTATION SMALL    CULTURES. 


57 


a  v 
g  ** 
Si 

a  * 

P. 


58  UNIVERSITY   OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT    STATION. 

observed  (May,  1902)  were  evidently  failing  and  disappearing,  under  fair 
average  conditions.  They  seldom  reproduce  from  self-sown  seeds  and 
A.  semibaccata  easily  "runs  them  out"  and  usurps  the  soil  under  field 
conditions.  A.  leptocarpa  also  yields  to  A.  semibaccata  in  the  field.  In 
cultivated  or  hoed  rows,  A.  semibaccata  makes  nearly  three  times  as 
much  fodder  per  plant  or  per  acre  as  does  A.  leptocarpa,  and  the  quality 
is  about  the  same.  A.  semibaccata  greatly  surpasses  vesicaria  and 
halimoides  in  actual  yield  per  acre.  The  saltbushes  which  are  much 
better  in  points  of  growth  and  yield  at  Tulare  than  at  the  Central 
Station  or  at  Paso  Robles,  are  named  in  order  of  improvement:  A.  semi- 
baccata, A.  pamparum,  Rhagodia  spinescens  inermis.  All  the  saltbushes 
withstand  much  drought  and  alkali. 

Turkestan  Alfalfa. — Among  the  alfalfas  growing  here  are  plots  of 
"common  California  alfalfa,"  of  "German  Lucerne,"  a  very  compact 
and  large-leaved  stock,  and  of  Turkestan  alfalfa,  sent  out  by  the  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture  (Nos.  1150,  1151,  and  1159 — Medicago  sativa  var. 
turkestanica) .     Little  difference  was  noted  among  these  varieties. 

Three  years'  experience  shows  that  while  no  alfalfa  will  withstand  the 
droughts  here  and  yield  any  summer  forage,  the  roots  of  the  turkestanica 
will  live  through  the  summer  and  give  early  winter  feed.  To  some  extent 
this  is  true  of  all  unirrigated  alfalfa  in  the  San  Joaquin,  but  the  ravages 
of  the  gophers  make  its  growth  under  such  conditions  useless.  By  June 
all  the  alfalfas,  unless  irrigated,  cease  growth  and  run  to  seed  or  die 
down  to  the  roots.  Turkestanica,  like  the  other  varieties,  now  receives 
irrigation.  But  the  growth  of  the  turkestanica  is  noticeably  more  com- 
pact than  that  of  the  common  form;  it  has  a  larger  leaf,  more  foliage, 
and  shorter  joints,  hence  it  is  an  acquisition  of  considerable  value. 
The  alfalfas  withstand  considerable  alkali  when  once  a  stand  has  been 
obtained,  but  need  irrigation  in  this  district. 

Horse-Beans. — A  number  of  forms  of  Vicia  faba  from  different  sources 
have  been  tried  here  for  four  years,  in  the  hope  that  they  would  with- 
stand the  frost  and  make  a  good  growth  before  the  dry  weather.  As  a 
rule,  they  have  failed  to  mature  seed,  and  have  amounted  to  nothing. 
This  applies  to  all  the  best  European  broad-bean  varieties.  A  somewhat 
better  result  was  obtained  in  the  case  of  Nos.  7024  and  7035  of  the 
Department  of  Agriculture. 

No.  7024,  "the  Laidi  horse-bean  of  Egypt,"  sown  March  1,  1902,  on 
medium  but  sandy  alkali  soil,  proved  to  be  very  early.  Plants  were 
one  foot  high  and  had  pods  well  set  on  May  1st.  This  variety  is  fully 
a  month  earlier  than  any  other  kind  tested  here. 

No.  7035,  sown  at  the  same  time,  was  beginning  to  blossom  May  1st. 
A  few  plants  were  sixteen  inches  high,  but  the  average  was  one  foot. 

The  above  tests  were  only  partial,  as  these  varieties  should  be  sown 
with  the  early  winter  rains.  Then  if  they  withstand  the  cold  and  grow 
well,  they  will  be  an  acquisition.  But  the  seed  was  not  received  until  the 
end  of  February.  These  two  varieties  justify  field  trials  on  better  and 
less  frosty  soil. 

The  Vetches.— The  best  vetch  here  is  the  common  bitter  vetch  (Lathyrus 
sativus),  which  has  been  tested  for  several  years.  At  times,  sown  early 
and  with  favorable  rains,  it  reaches  a  height  of  nearly  one  foot.  Usually, 
however,  as  with  No.  7639,  sown  March  4,  1902,  on  sandy  alkali  soil,  it 


SAN   JOAQUIN    VALLEY    SUBSTATION — SMALL   CULTURES.  59 

blossoms  when  six  inches  high,  and  spreads  very  little.  May  1st  this 
plot  was  in  full  bloom.  It  will  hardly  ripen  seed  without  irrigation, 
nor  has  it  ever  done  so  here,  in  ten  years'  experience.  It  is  not  suited 
to  the  soil  and  climate.  Even  with  copious  irrigation  it  hardly  yields 
half  a  ton  of  hay  to  the  acre. 

Lathyrus  tingitanus  (No.  7637  of  the  Inventory),  grown  here  from 
several  sources  at  different  seasons,  does  not  endure  the  drought.  It 
spreads  three  or  four  inches,  and  ceases  growth  by  the  middle  of  May 
or  early  in  June. 

Vicia  villosa  has  been  fully  tested  in  plots  and  sown  with  rye.  Its 
height  ranges,  according  to  the  season,  from  two  to  four  inches  at  time 
of  blossoming.  None  of  the  entire  list  of  vetches  has  succeeded  here  in 
four  seasons  of  growth  on  this  sandy,  alkali  soil. 

In  the  spring  of  1901,  V.  narbonensis  (No.  7532)  and  V.  ochrus  (No. 
7534)  were  given  a  careful  trial.  They  were  in  blossom  at  the  height  of 
two  or  three  inches,  May  1st.  Growth  soon  ceased  and  they  died  by 
June  1st.  Vicias  Nos.  1504,  1506,  1507,  1509,  and  1514  were  grown  in 
1899  and  1900,  but  were  failures. 

The  Lentils. — Ervum  monanthus  (No.  7522),  Ervum  lens  (No.  5419), 
Ervum  hirsutum  (No.  5418),  and  various  forms  of  the  common  lentil  all 
prove  unsuited  to  the  soil.  Without  irrigation  they  seldom  reach  bloom, 
and  are  hardly  more  than  two  or  three  inches  high,  even  with  irrigation. 
They  are  affected  by  a  small  amount  of  alkali  and  fail  to  mature  seeds. 

Garbanzos. — Under  various  forms  this  notable  pea,  Cicer  arietinum, 
has  had  thorough  tests.  In  recent  years  much  local  inquiry  has  been 
made  about  chick  peas,  Colorado  peas,  etc.,  and  the  hope  has  been 
expressed  by  various  newspapers  that  this  plant  would  be  very  useful 
here.  The  same  thing  has  been  said  of  the  vetches  and  many  other 
plants  long  ago  grown  and  reported  upon.  The  utmost  growth  that 
Garbanzos  makes  here,  when  sown  early,  is  one  foot,  with  a  few 
branches.  As  a  rule,  its  growth  is  but  six  or  eight  inches;  it  blossoms 
in  May,  and  dries  up,  if  unirrigated,  by  the  middle  of  June.  Nos.  7017 
and  7021  of  the  Inventory,  sown  in  the  spring  of  1902,  made  the  above 
average  growth.  About  half  of  the  plants  were  killed  or  dwarfed  by 
alkali. 

Lupins. — Previous  reports  have  contained  much  about  lupins  here. 
Their  value  is  very  doubtful,  except  on  better  soil  and  nearer  the 
mountains,  where  native  species  do  unusually  well.  Sown  early  at  the 
substation  they  have  sometimes  made  quite  a  growth,  but  very  cold 
weather  checks  this.  Lupinus  termis  (No.  7022  of  the*Inventory),  sown 
March  1st,  was  approaching  bloom  May  1st  (seed  received  late).  It 
made  only  about  one  fourth  as  much  growth  as  did  the  "Palermo 
White.1'  The  latter,  which  on  May  1st  averaged  a  foot  high  and  was  past 
full  bloom,  seems  to  promise  value  here  (sown  March  1st).     . 

Cereals. — The  growth  of  the  gluten  wheats  continues  here,  and  seed 
is  usually  sown  in  December.  At  present  the  plots  include  Fultz 
(No.  5493),  Golden  Chaff  (No.  5486),  and  Theiss  (No.  3823),  with  various 
removes  from  the  original.  Seed  from  each  plot  is  sent  to  the  Division 
of  Chemistry  at  Washington,  and  the  changes  in  the  grain  are  noted. 
Bulletin  No.  3  of  the  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry  contains  a  great  deal  on 


60  UNIVERSITY   OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT   STATION. 

the  subject  of  the  hard  wheats,  and  other  portions  of  this  report  note  the 
work  being  done  at  substations  where  the  development  of  starch  is  less 
rapid  than  at  Tulare.  The  plants  strengthen  and  tiller  more  with  each 
remove  from  the  original. 

The  barleys,  ryes,  and  spelts  have  usually  succeeded  well  here.  No.  7531, 
rye,  received  and  sown  as  late  as  March  1st,  was  in  excellent  condi- 
tion on  June  1st  in  sandy  alkali,  but  early  winter  sowing  is  much  better. 
No.  4281 ,  the  East  Tennessee  Giant  Wheat,  also  sown  late,  has  done  fairly 
well  here,  considering  the  season. 

Goat's  Rue  (No.  1456  of  the  Inventory),  Galega  officinalis,  has  been 
given  a  thorough  trial.  It  stands  drought  quite  well,  but  is  not  tolerant 
of  alkali.  Plants  are  six  or  eight  inches  high  by  August.  With  irriga- 
tion three  cuttings  can  be  made,  but  alfalfa  is  better  in  that  case. 

Sainfoin  and  Sulla. — Both  these  well-known  plants,  which  have  been 
grown  here  for  ten  years,  resist  considerable  alkali.  They  need  water  in 
dry  years  if  any  yield  be  desired  after  July. 

Millets. — Many  millets  have  been  grown  here.  One  of  the  best  varieties 
of  Panicum  miliaceum  was  No.  1387  from  Turkestan,  which  resisted 
drought  well  in  1899  and  1900,  and  stood  alkali  better  than  wheat  did 
on  both  heavy  and  light  soils.  This  millet  makes  an  excellent  hay,  and 
should  prove  profitable  for  this  or  for  chicken  feed.  It  is  far  superior  to 
the  common  German  Golden  and  other  older  varieties  tested  here. 

Medicago  arbor ea  (Inventory  No.  1896). — This  shrubby  legume,  the 
Tree  Medic,  has  been  tested  a  good  deal  here  and  elsewhere.  It  would 
have  considerable  value  if  gophers  would  let  it  alone.  They  even  prefer 
it  to  alfalfa.     It  stands  much  drought  and  considerable  alkali. 

Foxtail  Furze  Inventory  No.  1446). — This  form  of  the  well-known 
Scotch  gorse  has  now  been  grown  here  for  three  years.  It  is  a  remark- 
able plant  in  its  resistance  to  drought  and  alkali,  and  yet  is  extremely 
sensitive  to  the  latter  as  soon  as  its  limits  are  reached,  the  leaves  and 
young  shoots  turning  yellow  very  rapidly.  Sheep  and  cattle  will  not 
eat  the  branches,  which  are  nearly  as  thorny  as  the  common  gorse, 
unless  crushed  between  rollers. 

Grasses,  Clovers,  Etc. — For  the  past  four  years  about  twenty-five 
species  of  grasses  and  clovers  have  been  grown  here,  with  the  aid,  in 
most  cases,  of  some  irrigation.  Perennial  Rye-grass  is  one  of  the  best 
kinds  ever  tested.  Named  in  order  of  resistance  to  drought  and  alkali, 
the  grasses  of  next  importance  to  this  are  Smooth  Brome  (Bromus  iner- 
mis),  Italian  Rye,  and  Texas  Blue  (Poa  arachnifera) . 

There  are  few  more  resistant  plants  of  any  value  for  forage  than 
Melilotus  alba  (Bokhara  clover).  Started  early,  it  needs  no  irrigation 
and  has  kept  green  in  the  driest  seasons  (less  than  four  inches  of  rain- 
fall in  the  year).  This  is  the  plant  that  is  often  thought  one  of  the 
worst  of  weeds,  especially  in  alfalfa  fields,  but  it  is  a  honey-producer, 
and  range  stock  will  eat  it. 

Artichokes. — The  European  artichoke  (Cynara  scolymus)  has  been 
tested  here  for  several  years  on  strong,  heavy,  alkali  soil.  Nos.  4345  to 
4350  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  as  well  as   seeds   from   other 


SAN   JOAQUIN    VALLEY   SUBSTATION — SMALL    CULTURES.  61 

stock,  were  sown,  and  the  results  show  that  this  plant  grows  about  as 
well  in  strong  alkali  as  does  Atriplex  semibaccata,  and  a  great  deal 
better  than  do  Russian  sunflowers. 

Squashes  and  Melons. — A  collection  of  squashes  and  melons  was 
planted  in  1901,  on  sandy  alkali  soil  about  as  good  as  any  on  the  sub- 
station. The  plants,  though  making  a  start,  suffered  much.  A  few 
watermelons  ripened  in  October,  but  were  very  poor  in  quality.  All 
the  vines  were  watered  every  evening,  and  were  mulched.  Some  vines 
were  watered  by  means  of  a  sunk  box  into  which  water  was  poured.  It 
seemed  impossible  to  keep  the  melon  vines  growing  well.  The  summer 
squashes  did  a  little  better.  The  Tsama  or  Khama  stock-melon  throve 
very  much  better  than  any  other  cucurbit,  and  were  hardier,  but  even 
these  suffered  in  amount  of  crop  from  alkali. 


62  UNIVERSITY    OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT   STATION. 


SOUTHERN  CALIFORNIA  SUBSTATION. 

(In  Chino  Valley,  reached  from  Pomona,  Ontario,  or  Chino.    Elevation  of  main  tract, 
856  feet ;  of  moist-land  tract,  800  feet.) 


The  substation  work  in  the  Chino  Valley  is  being  carried  on  at  two 
points:  (1)  on  a  thirty-acre  tract  three  miles  southeast  from  Pomona 
(or  about  the  same  distance  southwest  from  Ontario);  and  (2)  on  a  ten- 
acre  tract  about  two  miles  south  of  the  thirty  acres,  and  about  a  mile 
from  Chino.  The  thirty-acre,  or  home  tract  consists  chiefly  of  reddish 
mesa  soil  suitable  for  citrus  fruits;  about  one  fifth  is  gray  gravelly  soil 
from  the  wash  of  the  Sierra  Madre.  The  ten-acre  tract  consists  of  the 
characteristic  dark  loam  so  common  in  the  lowlands  of  the  valleys  and 
along  the  coast. 

Brief  History  of  the  Substation.—  This  substation  was  established  in 
November,  1890.  There  was  then  an  abundant  supply  of  free  water, 
delivered  by  gravity  from  the  main  reservoirs,  supplied  chiefly  by  flow- 
ing artesian  wells.  The  average  rainfall  was  then  greater  than  it  has 
been  in  recent  years,  and  the  winter .  floods  even  swept  across  a  large 
part  of  the  home  tract  (1890-91),  enriching  the  soil.  Since  then  the 
settlement  of  the  valley  and  the  development  of  great  water  systems 
have  compelled  resort  to  pumping  not  only  at  the  substation,  but  generally 
throughout  the  district.  The  value  of  water  has  steadily  increased,  and 
its  economical  use  has  here  become  one  of  the  leading  agricultural 
problems. 

When  the  station  was  founded,  in  1890,  the  young  orchards  of  the 
district  were  much  more  diversified  than  now.  Nearly  all  kinds  of 
deciduous  fruits  which  prosper  in  northern  or  central  California  were 
planted  by  the  land-owners  and  were  doing  well.  Almonds,  peaches, 
apricots,  and  prunes,  as  well  as  apples  and  pears,  were  being  planted. 
Olives  were  considered  more  promising  than  anything  else,  and  walnuts 
were  thought  desirable  on  the  heavier  soils.  Citrus  fruits  were  chiefly 
planted  on  highlands  of  the  rim  of  the  valley,  east  and  north.  The 
especial  demands  made  upon  the  substation  were  for  more  knowledge 
of  all  kinds  of  fruit  culture,  particularly  deciduous;  also  for  information 
about  sugar-beets,  for  drainage  and  reclamation  of  moist  lands,  such  as 
the  ten-acre  tract,  and,  as  one  newcomer  expressed  it,  "for  whatever 
can  be  found  out  about  the  soil,  climate,  and  productiveness  of  the 
Chino  Valley,  as  few  of  us  know  anything  at  all  about  any  part  of 
California."  Along  these  lines,  to  fulfill  the  demands  of  the  community, 
the  substation  developed.  While  experimenting  with  all  kinds  of  decid- 
uous fruits  on  a  large  scale,  citrus  fruits,  olives,  figs,  and  other  semi- 
tropic  fruits  received  no  less  attention.  The  substation  also  bore  its 
share  in  the  rise  of  the  great  sugar-beet  industry  of  the  valley,  testing 
many  varieties,  distributing  seeds,  and  examining  other  beet  lands.  Its 
numerous  other  activities  can  hardly  be  stated  in  a  paragraph;  their 
record  runs  through  previous  reports. 

From  its  establishment,  this  substation  has  been  popular  in  the  com- 
munity, and  the  foreman  has  been  in  demand  over  a  large  extent  of 


SOUTHERN   CALIFORNIA    SUBSTATrON — HISTORY;    CLIMATE.  63 

country,  as  horticultural  expert  and  local  adviser.  The  number  of 
real  farmers,  fruit-growers,  gardeners,  nurserymen,  etc.,  who  visit  this 
substation  is  far  in  excess  of  the  number  visiting  any  other  substation 
of  the  system,  as  the  horticultural  population  is  dense,  and  the  place  is 
very  accessible.  There  have  been  many  meetings  of  farmers'  clubs  here; 
farmers'  institutes  have  been  held  at  the  substation;  the  local  news- 
papers frequently  send  reporters  out  to  see  what  is  going  on,  and  the 
influence  of  the  substation  seems  to  be  increasing  in  all  directions.  Its 
location  was  fortunate  in  many  respects.  Though  a  purely  citrus  station 
might  well  have  been  further  inland,  the  problem  of  choosing  one  point 
between  Los  Angeles  and  the  desert  where  experiments  could  be  carried 
on  for  the  widest  possible  area  was  admirably  solved  by  selecting  the 
Chino  Valley,  which  is  adapted  to  the  culture  of  a  vast  range  of  species 
of  plants. 

There  has  been  but  one  change  in  the  foremanship  here  since  1890, 
and  this  is  one  of  the  especially  fortunate  items  in  the  history  of  the 
substation.  Mr.  McLennan,  sent  there  in  November,  1890,  was  super- 
seded in  1893  by  Mr.  J.  W.  Mills,  a  former  student  at  Berkeley,  who  is 
therefore  the  second-oldest  foreman,  in  point  of  service,  being  surpassed 
only  by  Mr.  Forrer,  of  the  Tulare  substation.  Mr.  Mills  has  been  over 
a  large  part  of  southern  California  at  farmers'  institutes  and  otherwise, 
and  is  becoming  a  well-posted  person  upon  practical  topics  of  agriculture. 
He  has  been  helped,  during  his  entire  service,  by  successive  patrons  of 
unusual  agricultural  knowledge — Mr.  Gird,  then  owner  of  the  Chino 
Ranch,  Rev.  C.  F.  Loup,  and  Hon.  S.  N.  Androus;  also  by  a  large  num- 
ber of  local  specialists  in  olives,  oranges,  beets,  and  other  crops  of  the 
region. 

CLIMATE. 

The  climate  of  the  Chino  Valley  has  a  well-deserved  fame  in  southern 
California.  There  is  not  much  difference,  either  in  temperature  or  rain- 
fall, between  Chino,  Ontario,  and  Pomona,  the  three  leading  towns  of 
the  valley,  nor  is  the  climate  of  these  places  much  different  from  that  of 
Riverside,  Colton,  and  San  Bernardino,  farther  inland,  in  another  valley 
system,  excepting  as  regards  rainfall.  In  this  respect  the  Chino  region 
in  normal  seasons  is  less  favored  than  the  coast,  and  more  favored  than 
districts  farther  inland.  The  following  table  shows  some  comparative 
rainfalls  at  various  places  east,  west,  and  near  the  substation: 

Place.  1892-3.  1894-5. 

Los  Angeles 22.00  inches.  23.00  inches. 

Pomona 20.97       "  2043       «* 

Ontario 21.00       "  20.24 

Chino 20.19       "  2O.00       " 

San  Bernardino  -_ — 20.29       "  14.85       " 

Redlands 15.20       "  17.75       " 

Riverside 15.06       "  11.65 

At  the  substation,  situated  about  equidistant  between  Pomona, Ontario, 
and  Chino,  the  rainfall  in  1892-3  was  19  inches,  or  less  than  at  either 
point;  while  in  1894-5  it  was  22.96  inches,  or  more  than  at  these  places, 
and  nearly  as  much  as  at  Los  Angeles. 

The  rainfall  at  Los  Angeles,  according  to  the  records  of  the  Southern 
Pacific  Railroad,  the  Weather  Bureau  reports,  and  other  available  rec- 
ords from  1892  to  1902,  averaged  16.85  inches;  that  of  San  Bernardino 
for  a  slightly  longer  period  averaged  14.94  inches.  The  average  for  the 
Chino  Valley  lies  between  these  two,  or  about  15.50  inches,  while  that  of 


64 


UNIVERSITY   OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT    STATION. 


Riverside  and  Redlands  falls  below  San  Bernardino.  There  have  been 
"wet  years,"  such  as  that  of  1883-4  (rainfall  at  Los  Angeles,  38.22 
inches),  and  "dry  years,"  such  as  1876-7  (rainfall  at  Los  Angeles,  5.28 
inches).  Only  the  establishment  of  enormous  systems  of  irrigation, 
supplementing  the  annual  rainfalL  has  enabled  these  thriving  communi- 
ties to  carry  on  such  intensive  horticulture. 

At  the  substation  the  rainfall  has  been  as  follows: 


Season. 

1889-90  (mean  of  surounding 

towns) _ 

1890-91 

Rainfall, 
in  Inches. 

22.25 
12.55 
14.32 
20.72 
11.18 
23.00 

1895-96  .. 
1896-97  .. 
1897-98  .. 
1898-99  .. 
1899-00  .. 
1900-01  .. 
1901-02  (t 

Season. 

Rainfall, 
in  Inches 
8.75 
16.99 

9.39 

1891-92 

5.71 

1892-93    

9.58 

1893-94 

17.74 

1894-95  

o  April) 

11.41 

The  average  annual  rainfall  for  thirteen  years  has  been  a  little  more 
than  14  inches.  The  average  of  the  four  years,  1889-93,  was  17.46  inches, 
but  the  average  of  the  four  years,  1895-99,  was  only  10.20  inches.  As  at 
Paso  Robles  and  Tulare  substations,  the  rainfall  of  the  years  immedi- 
ately following  establishment  here  was  more  favorable  than  the  average 
of  a  longer  period. 

The  climatic  record  of  the  substation  since  the  issuance  of  the  last 
report,  which  closed  with  June,  1899,  is  shown  in  the  following  table, 
which  includes  temperature,  rainfall,  and  weather  by  months: 


g 

K 

S 

a 

f 

pd 

3 

25 

as 

as 

§  3 

•  3 

O  £8 

zs 

CD 

to 

So 

3' 

e 
3 

3 

pi 

c 

3 

£0 

1 

=£3 
£3 

CD 
co 

5 

SO 

b 
2. 
•5T 

b 

CD 
O 

o 

3"  ST 

a" 

CD 

O 

!  v 

i-3 

cd 

a 

««r 

< 

$o 

2. 

a 

cd" 

b 

o 
cT 

B 

y 

< 

cr? 

SB 

<~i 

so 

pi 

:  S" 

T5 

CD 

CB 

p 

^ 

b 

b 

tn 

«1 

:  3 
i  ° 

d 

CD 

3 

C 
CD 

O 

a 

© 

3 

o 
P 

t? 

So 

CO 

05 

4 

S31 
CD 

s 

b 
So 

CO 

1899— July 

75.3°    1 

.02° 

51° 

47° 

31° 

.00 

26 

5 

0 

0 

August       

72.5      1 
75.7      1 

L02 

.06 

47 
49 

48 
48 

23 
21 

.00 
.00 

22 
21 

9 

8 

0 
0 

0 

September 

1 

October 

62.7 

95 

38 

40 

9 

1.92 

14 

11 

6 

6 

November 

59.0 
54.2 

85  . 
80 

38 
32 

40 
39 

5 

7 

1.39 
.95 

14 
14 

12 
11 

3 
3 

3 

December    

6 

1900— January 

58.2 

80 

34 

37 

5 

1.30 

17 

9 

2 

5 

February 

57.3 
61.7 

87 
93 

34 
39 

45 
46 

15 
14 

.05 
1.02 

9 

8 

17 
19 

\ 

2 

March 

4 

57.9 
66.2  • 
68.8 

86 
96 
96 

35 
40 
45 

43 
45 

49 

7 

12 
13 

.95 

2.00 

.00 

12 
21 
13 

5 
5 

16 

5 
4 
0 

13 

Mav 

5 

June      

1 

For  the  year      

64.9 
72.3 

92.3 
99 

40.1 

48 

439 
43 

13.5 
21 

9.58 
.00 

191 
18 

127 
12 

26 
0 

46 

1900— July 

1 

August .-. 

70.5      1 

.07 

46 

46 

21 

.00 

12 

19 

0 

0 

September 

66.4 
63.8 

97 
96 

44 
38 

49 

48 

20 
15 

.00 
.34 

17 
14 

12 
15 

0 
2 

1 

October 

2 

November 

61.6 

93 

38 

47 

8 

8.38 

22 

2 

6 

6 

December  ._ 

54.7 
51.0 
55.5 

80 
76 
92 

27 
23 
28 

38 
38 
41 

22 

10 
8 

.00 
2.89 
4.46 

19 

7 

14 

11 

12 

6 

0 
10 

8 

1 

1901 — January 

12 

February  

8 

March         .. 

57.5 
59.5 
64.3 
71.4      1 

90 
85 
86 
L08 

33 
33 
43 
46 

48 
43 
34 
53 

16 
10 
13 
17 

.48 

.19 

1.00 

.00 

24 

18 

7 

11 

7 

10 
21 
18 

1 
2 
3 

0 

0 

April 

2 

May       

3 

June 

1 

For  the  year 

62.4 

94.4 

37.2 

52.9 

15 

17.74 

183 

145 

32 

37 

SOUTHERN   CALIFORNIA   SUBSTATION — IRRIGATION. 


65 


g 

g 

K 

Q 

r 

» 

55 

2 

« 

55 

2«> 

0  P» 

°    M 

3 

p 

a 

d 

Wg 

(3 

o£ 

HtM 

P 

DO 

B 

3 

B 

pB 

B 

1 

^5° 
S3 

~B 

00 

b 

p 

8 

s 

&B 

£y 

b 

p 

b 

o 

o 

JLo 

o 

H 

H 

p 

o 

^ 

o 

<c 

<D 

»< 

<J 

»2. 

5* 

P 

•   b 

►r* 

p 

B 

►d 

a 

B 
•d 

3 

<! 
p 

P 

p 

d 

CTQ 

p 
b 

b 

p 

;  p 

'       CO 

a 
•< 

3 
o 

p 
3 

p 

2" 

P 

o 
0 

o 

o 

p 

00 

60 

!   3 

p 

VI 

CO 

1901— July _ ' 

"6.7      ] 

L04 

50 

51 

28 

.00 

21 

9 

0 

1 

August i 

$0.6      ] 

L09 

49 

48 

28 

.00 

18 

13 

0 

0 

September ( 

58.1 

92 

44 

45 

18 

.00 

30 

0 

0 

0 

October ( 

J6.0 
>9.0 
)4.2 
>3.0 

96 

84 
83 
86 

43 
37 
24 

28 

48 
37 
42 
43 

20 
15 
15 
15 

2.29 
.00 
.00 

1.92 

22 

15 

0 

19 

4 
13 

0 

7 

5 
2 
0 
4 

4 

November ' 

2 

December { 

0 

1902— January { 

5 

February I 

34.0 

81 

30 

37 

11 

3.35 

16 

5 

6 

7 

March < 

35.5 

84 

31 

41 

16 

3.85 

9 

12 

7 

10 

April 

May 

June . 

IRKIGATION. 

The  amounts  of  water  used  to  produce  crops  in  the  Chino  Valley  are, 
as  a  rule,  extremely  small.  Waste  has  been  reduced  year  after  year, 
owing  to  the  high  cost  of  water  and  consequent  improved  methods. 
The  deep-furrow  system,  followed  by  cultivation,  is  now  practiced. 

Amounts  of  Water  Used. — Between  January  and  the  end  of  June, 
1898,  the  orchard  received  2,880,000  gallons  of  water;  between  June, 
1898,  and  January,  1899,  it  received  3,710,000  gallons.  This  total  of 
6,590,000  gallons  applied  in  practically  fifteen  months  (since  no  water 
was  artificially  applied  in  October,  November,  and  December,  1897)  was 
distributed  as  follows,  arranged  in  order  of  greatest  use: 

Gallons, 

Citrus  fruits 800,000 

Peaches _ 790,000 

Grapes 770,000 

Plums... _ 730,000 

Lawn,  garden,  nursery,  etc _. 687,000 

Pears _ 625,000 

Apples  - -._ 500,000 

Olives - 490,000 

Figs - - 350,000 

Alfalfa 285,000 

Forest  trees... 270,000 

European  lupins... 190,000 

Cherries 125,000 

Almonds  and  apricots 78,000 


Since  the  rainfall  of  this  region  between  September,  1897,  and  April, 
1899,  eighteen  months,  covering  the  entire  period  during  which  this 
irrigation  was  used,  was  only  15.10  inches,  and  since  the  area  to  which 
it  was  applied  was  about  twenty  acres,  the  average  of  irrigation  and 
rainfall  (7.48  gallons  equaling  one  cubic  foot  of  water)  was  a  trifle 
over  25  inches.  The  amount  of  water,  of  course,  varied  greatly  in  regard 
to  different  crops.  The  olives  received  in  rainfall  and  irrigation  but 
22.70  inches,  while  the  oranges  had  nearly  29  inches. 
5 


66 


UNIVERSITY   OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT    STATION. 


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SOUTHERN   CALIFORNIA    SUBSTATION — IRRIGATION.  67 

In  the  summer  of  1900  the  total  amount  of  water  used  was  3,213,000 
gallons  on  twenty  acres,  equal  to  about  five  inches  of  rainfall.  The 
citrus  trees  received  about  three  tenths  of  the  entire  amount  of  water 
used. 

Irrigation  in  1901. — During  the  season  of  1901  the  rainfall  was 
greater  than  for  two  previous  years,  and  the  amount  of  water  applied 
was  also  in  some  cases  larger,  as  it  was  evidently  needed  by  the  trees. 
Experiments  were  made  in  the  use  of  shallow  and  deep  furrows.  Records 
were  kept  in  acre-feet  and  decimals  thereof.  The  rainfall  was  nearly  17 
inches,  equal  to  1.48  acre-feet. 

Deep  versus  Shallow  Furrow  Systems. — The  orange  grove  was  divided 
into  two  portions,  each  irrigated  by  a  different  method.  That  portion 
on  which  the  shallow-furrow  system  was  applied  required  1.167  acre- 
feet  of  irrigation  (one  extra  irrigation),  while  the  trees  watered  by  the 
deep-furrow  system  required  but  1.02  acre-feet.  These  points,  with  the 
dates  and  amounts  of  water  given,  are  shown  on  the  accompanying 
charts  (see  Plate  6,  page  66). 

The  results  of  these  experiments  with  deep  and  shallow  furrows  were 
interesting  and  valuable,  justifying  more  complete  discussion  here. 
The  first  irrigation  given  to  the  grove  was  in  the  first  week  in  July. 
The  two  east  rows  were  irrigated  from  that  time  and  through  the  whole 
of  the  season,  in  furrows  twelve  inches  deep,  while  the  three  west  rows 
were  similarly  irrigated,  except  that  the  depth  of  the  furrows  was  but 
five  inches.  The  soil  had  been  deeply  plowed  twice  during  the  six 
months  previous  and  was  in  excellent  condition. 

How  to  Plow  Furrows  for  Irrigation. — The  methods  of  plowing  furrows 
in  an  orchard  are  numerous,  and  many  of  them  entail  a  large  amount 
of  extra  labor  in  shoveling  earth  out  of  the  intersecting  points.  The 
accompanying  diagram  will  show  the  proper  way  in  which  to  plow 
irrigation  furrows,  whether  deep  or  shallow  (see  Plate  7,  page  68). 

In  this  diagram  the  surface  is  supposed  to  be  graded  so  as  to  slope 
from  north  to  south,  and  the  water  is  to  be  applied  on  all  sides  to  each 
tree,  at  the  outer  circle  of  branches,  in  the  most  economical  manner. 
Therefore,  first  plow  the  furrows  passing  through  b  and  c,  running 
north  and  south.  Next  plow  all  the  cross-furrows  running  east  and 
west;  then  return  and  plow  all  the  main  water  channels  running  north 
and  south  across  the  orchard.  Two  of  them  go  down  the  center  between 
the  rows,  and  two  more  run  close  to  the  trees.  The  furrows  will  need 
some  digging  at  the  points  a,  b,  c,  and  d,  so  as  to  have  the  water  follow 
the  trees  (a  b  c  d).  The  water  is  not  allowed  to  run  through  the  inter- 
rupted portions  of  the  furrows  shown  by  the  dotted  lines. 

Absorption  and  Penetration  of  Water. — Mr.  Mills  reported  as  follows 
in  regard  to  the  application  of  water  in  these  furrows:  " After  the  water 
was  once  run  to  the  end  of  all  the  furrows  there  seemed  to  be  no  differ- 
ence in  the  amount  of  water  taken  in  by  the  soil  in  the  two  sets  of 
furrows.  The  water  was  longer  in  first  reaching  the  lower  ends  of  the 
deep  furrows  than  it  was  in  reaching  the  lower  ends  of  the  shallow  ones. 
This  seemed  to  be  due  to  the  soft  soil  rolling  back  into  the  deep  furrows, 
which  impeded  the  flow  of  water:  but  after  this  loose  soil  was  once  wet 
there  was  apparently  no  difference  in  size  of  the  streams  required  to 


DO  UNIVERSITY   OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT   STATION. 

reach  the  lower  ends  of  the  two  sets  of  furrows.  The  entire  orchard  was 
irrigated  at  once;  that  is,  the  water  was  turned  on  all  of  the  trees  at 
the  same  time  and  kept  running  for  the  same  length  of  time  on  them  all 
until  the  irrigation  was  completed  for  each  time,  except,  of  course,  in  the 
case  of  the  extra  irrigation  in  June." 

The  absorbing  capacity  of  the  two  systems  of  furrrows,  deep  and 
shallow,  appeared  to  be  about  the  same,  but  there  was  a  very  noticeable 
difference  in  the  losses  by  evaporation.  At  one  time,  when  water  was 
running  for  eighty-four  hours  in  all  the  furrows,  the  surface  between 
shallow  furrows  became  saturated.  As  soon  as  possible  this  surface  was 
cultivated,  but  for  days  afterward  it  showed  moisture  every  morning  (an 


PLATE 


to  Plow  Furrows 


Irrigation. 


evidence  of  waste).  In  the  case  of  the  deep  furrows,  the  surface  soil 
showed  moisture  only  near  the  head  of  the  ditch,  at  the  upper  end  of 
the  rows,  and  immediately  over  the  furrows,  which  of  course  had  been 
filled  as  soon  as  practicable,  as  was  also  done  with  the  shallow  furrows. 
The  moisture  thus  saved  for  the  use  of  the  roots  by  deep-furrow  irriga- 
tion was  sufficient  to  carry  the  trees  from  the  first  week  in  May  until 
late  in  July.  On  the  other  hand,  the  loss  by  evaporation  from  shallow 
furrows  compelled  the  foreman  to  give  an  extra  irrigation  in  June.  In 
other  words,  the  trees  irrigated  by  deep  furrows  went  twenty  days 
longer,  thus  saving  cost  of  extra  water  and  labor,  besides  keeping  in 
better  condition. 


SOUTHERN    CALIFORNIA    SUBSTATION — IRRIGATION, 


69 


The  penetration  of  the  water  sideways  and  downwards  in  the  two 
methods  used  is  very  clearly  shown  by  a  diagram  made  by  Mr.  J.  W. 
Mills,  and  used  in  his  Bulletin  No.  138,  on  Citrus  Fruits.  This  exhibits 
cross-sections  on  the  deep  and  shallow  furrows,  at  different  periods  of 
time  after  the  water  was  applied: 


Clay  Loam. 
HU     1ft.       0  1ft.       lit. 


Sandy  Soil. 
2ft,      1ft.      0  lit.      2/t 


7Z  HOURS  AFTER  IRRIGATION 

PLATE  8.    Percolation  Experiments.    Spread  of  Water  from  Deep 
Furrows  in  Heavy  and  Light  Soils. 

The  soil  in  and  between  the  furrows  was  probed  daily  during  these 
experiments.  The  spread  of  water  was  very  slow.  Even  at  the  end  of 
two  weeks  after  irrigation  the  moisture  lacked  three  feet  of  meeting  in 
the  wider  spaces  (13  feet)  between  the  main  furrows  next  to  the  trees. 


70 


UNIVERSITY    OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT    STATION. 


Water  applied  to  this  strip  close  to  the  trunks  of  the  trees  would  have 
been  to  a  large  extent  wasted,  and  one  aim  of  this  experiment  was  to 
avoid  waste  as  much  as  possible. 

On  the  sandy-loam  soil  of  the  substation,  the  irrigation  furrows  should 
not  be  more  than  four  feet  apart;  on  the  lighter  sandy  soil  they  are  better 
if  only  three  feet  apart.  The  former  soil  does  best  with  a  "  run  "  of  seventy- 
two  hours,  and  the  latter  with  forty-eight  hours,  these  periods  saturating 
the  soil  five  feet  deep,  which  proved  ample  for  citrus  fruits,  olives,  etc. 


Before  Irrigation. 


First  Foot: 


Second  Foot: 


Third  Foot: 


Fourth  Foot: 


Fifth  Foot: 


Sixth  Foot: 


Seventh  Foot: 


Eighth  Foot: 


.030 


0£9 


.054 


.047 


Immediately  After  Irrigation. 

Six  Feet  from 
In  Furrow.  Furrow. 


I    .028  F  .007 

i    .028  I  .012, 

.046    1  .017 

.054  I  .021 


.050 

1 .042  I  .026 

II  .044  1.032 

030  J  .030 


PLATE  9.    Percentage  of  Water  in  Soil  at  Different  Depths  Before  the 
Irrigation  Season,  and  Immediately  After  Last  Heavy  Irrigation. 

Weather  during  Irrigation. — The  weather  during  the  irrigation  season 
was  very  warm.  During  the  last  week  in  June  and  the  first  week  in 
July  the  daily  maximums  ranged  from  90°  to  108°  Fahr.  In  fact,  during 
the  forty-five  days  after  June  25th,  the  thermometer  registered  from  90° 
to  100°  for  twenty-nine  days  and  from  100°  to  108°  for  fifteen  days.  Dur- 
ing this  "hot  spell/'  the  longest  recorded  at  the  substation  for  ten  years, 
the  orange  trees  irrigated  on  the  deep-furrow  system  did  not  suffer,  but 


SOUTHERN    CALIFORNIA   SUBSTATION — THE    ORCHARD.  71 

those  irrigated  by  shallow  furrows,  as  above  noted,  began  to  suffer  and 
were  given  an  extra  supply  of  water  in  June.  The  irrigation  of  August 
9th,  which  the  entire  grove  received,  carried  all  the  trees  along  for  forty 
days,  when  those  on  the  shallow  furrows  showed  signs  of  distress.  A 
shower  of  rain  (0.45  of  an  inch),  followed  by  a  heavy  rain  (1.87  inches) 
a  week  later,  ended  the  irrigation  season. 

Amount  of  Water  in  the  Soil. — Determinations  of  the  percentage  of 
water  in  the  soil  at  different  depths  before  the  irrigation  season  began 
and  after  the  last  and  heaviest  irrigation  were  made.  The  accompanying 
diagram  (Plate  9)  shows  results.  The  first  fifteen  determinations— those 
in  irrigation  furrows — were  made  five  days  after  the  end  of  the  irriga- 
tion of  August  19,  1901,  or  eight  and  a  half  days  after  the  water  was 
turned  into  the  head  ditch.  The  last  four  determinations  were  made 
on  May  1,  1901,  just  before  the  first  irrigation  of  the  season. 


THE  ORCHARD. 

After  six  years  of  trial,  it  has  become  necessary  to  discard  a  large 
number  of  varieties  of  deciduous  fruits  grown  at  this  substation,  and 
they  are  being  replaced  with  kinds  which  it  is  thought  will  prove  better 
suited  to  this  region.  A  bulletin  upon  deciduous  fruit  culture  in  the 
Chino  Valley  will  probably  be  prepared  at  some  future  time,  setting 
forth  in  detail  the  results  of  this  extended  experiment.  The  following 
brief  notes  show  some  of  the  observations  already  made  here. 

Apples. — In  spite  of  irrigation  when  needful,  frequent  spraying,  and, 
in  brief,  the  most  careful  treatment,  the  greater  portion  of  the  varieties 
planted  here  are  dead  or  dying,  show  blight,  are  non-productive,  or,  if 
bearing,  have  fruit  of  poor  quality.  The  district  is  evidently  unsuited 
to  this  tree. 

The  following  varieties  are  badly  affected  with  blight:  Alexander, 
Arabskoe,  Duchess  of  Oldenburg,  Everbearing,  Keswick  Codlin,  Mam- 
moth Black,  Marshall  Seedling  (Red  Bellflower),  McMahon  White, 
Pewaukee,  Perry  Russet,  Sweet  Bough,  Wealthy. 

The  following  varieties  are  non-productive,  or  only  yield  fruit  that  is 
extremely  poor  (though  in  favorable  locations  these  are  excellent  varie- 
ties) ;  some  of  these  also  appear  in  the  above  list  of  blight-infected  sorts  : 
Amassia,  Belle  de  Boskoop,  Calvert,  Duchess  of  Devonshire,  Fameuse, 
Lady  Lankford,  Mammoth  Black,  Montreal  Crab,  Marshall  Seedling, 
Nero,  Perry  Russet,  Sweet  Bough,  Reinette  de  Caux,  Red  Bietigheimer, 
Twenty  Ounce,  Walbridge,  and  Yellow  Siberian  Crab. 

Six  varieties  of  apples  appear  to  be  absolutely  blight  proof,  and  are 
as  far  -recommended  for  general  planting  as  any  can  be  in  this  district. 
These  varieties  are  Early  Ripe,  Jonathan,  Skinner's  Seedling,  Smith 
Cider,  Rhode  Island,  and  White  Astrachan.  Gravenstein  is  slightly 
affected  with  blight,  but  not  seriously.  Sonoma  is  a  strong  grower  and 
a  good  bearer. 

Other  varieties  which  are  worth  further  trial  are  Arkansas  Black, 
Hoover,  Lawver,  Ortley,  Red  Astrachan,  Shannon,  Stump,  White  Winter 
Pearmain,  Yellow  Newtown  Pippin,  and  York  Imperial.  A  number  of 
the  newer  Russian  varieties  have  been  planted,  but  are  not  yet  in  bear- 
ing.    Many  of  the  crabs  have  done  poorly  and  some  of  the  older  Russian 


72  UNIVERSITY    OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT   STATION. 

varieties,  but  the  list  of  useful  sorts  includes  several,  such  as  the 
Astrachans,  that  are  Russian.  About  a  hundred  varieties  have  been 
tested  first  and  last  in  this  apple  orchard. 

Pears. — A  very  fine  collection  of  pears  was  established  here,  and  it 
included  all  the  leading  varieties,  European  and  American.  Many  are 
now  dead  or  dying,  and  in  no  case  where  two  trees  of  a  kind  were  planted 
have  both  done  well.  Beurre  Clairgeau,  Cole,  Chinese  Sugar,  Duchesse 
d'Angouleme,  Epine  Dumas,  Madam  Loriel  de  Barney,  Madeleine,  P. 
Barry,  and  St.  Andre,  nine  varieties  in  all,  are  retained,  the  last  named, 
however,  being  of  poor  quality.  These  now  seem  reasonably  free  from 
blight  and  bear  reasonably  well,  though  trees  of  Beurre  Clairgeau, 
Madeleine,  Madame  Loriel  de  Barney,  and  St.  Andre  have  died  from 
blight.  In  the  cases,  also,  of  Frederick  Clapp,  Clapp's  Favorite,  and 
Winter  Nelis,  one  or  two  trees  of  each  variety  died  from  this  disease. 
It  may  be  said,  therefore,  that  only  Cole,  Chinese  Sugar,  Duchesse 
d'Angouleme,  and  Epine  Dumas  have  proved  immune.  Le  Conte  and 
Idaho  certainly  have  not.  The  following  varieties  yielded  to  blight 
(two,  and  in  several  cases,  three  of  each  sort):  Anne  Ogereau,  Augustin 
Daly,  Bartlett,  Baronne  de  Mello,  Beurre  Gris  d'Hiver,  Beurre  Golden 
of  Bilbao,  Beurre  Bosc,  Bonne  du  Puits  Ansaults,  Brockworth  Park, 
Court  Queen  d'Automne,  De  Tongres,  Directeur  Alphand,  Duchesse  de 
Mouchy,  Exeter,  Easter  Beurre,  Eugene  Appert,  Glout  Morgeau,  Gray 
Doyenne,  Howell,  Henry  Fourth,  Idaho,  Jalousie  de  Fontenay,  Louis 
Vilmorin,  Levard,  Marie  Louise  d'Uccles,  Napoleon,  Onondaga,  Osband's 
Summer,  Paradise  d'Automne,  Passe  Colmar,  Pitmaston's  Duchesse 
d'Angouleme,  St.  Crispin,  St.  Michael,  Star  of  Bethlehem,  Souvenir 
du  Congres,  Sarah,  Tyson,  Valliant,  Vendee,  Vicar  of  Winkfield,  Winter 
Bartlett. 

Plums. — The  plum  orchard  contains  173  trees,  some  of  them  grafted 
to  several  sorts.  All  of  the  standard  varieties,  European,  Japanese, 
and  American,  are  represented  here.  Fourteen  varieties  are  worth 
retaining  from  among  the  trees  planted  in  the  original  orchard  in  1891. 
These  are:  Botankio,  Burbank,  Czar,  English  Damson,  Grand  Duke, 
Kelsey,  Normand's  Yellow,  Ontario,  Petite  Prune  d'Agen,  Rivers'  Early 
Prolific,  Satsuma,  and  Tragedy — besides  Mariannafor  its  bearing  quality. 
Other  varieties,  either  small  trees  or  grafted  into  older  stocks,  which 
are  doing  well  and  in  many  cases  promise  to  be  very  valuable  here,  are 
the  following:  Apple,  Bartlett,  Caddo  Chief,  Climax,  Cherry,  Chabot, 
Early  Red,  Evans'  Seedling,  Golden  Beauty,  Golden  Drop,  Honey  Drop, 
Lone  Star,  Newton,  Peach,  Pool,  Prairie  Rose,  Perdrignon,  Rouge,  Shiro, 
Sugar  Prune,  Sultan,  Wayland,  Wickson,  Yosemite,  and  Yellow  Onder- 
donk.  The  best  of  all  these,  and  one  of  the  most  satisfactory  in  the 
entire  orchard,  is  Wickson.  Scions  of  this  and  of  some  other  varieties 
sent  out  by  Mr.  Burbank,  as  well  as  of  the  best  Americans,  have  been 
distributed  from  this  substation  in  recent  years. 

We  now  come  to  the  list  of  plums  that,  as  experience  has  shown, 
should  be  discarded  here  by  nurserymen  and  tree-planters.  The  follow- 
ing varieties  are  unproductive,  although  the  trees  grow  well  and  are 
fit  for  working  over  to  better  kinds.  Some  of  them  are  known  to  do 
well  in  other  parts  of  southern  California,  but  as  a  rule  these  old  stand- 
ard European  varieties  are  not  as  successful  in  the  southern  counties  as 
are  the  newer  Japanese  and  cross-bred  types:  Autumn,  Barry,  Bassford, 


SOUTHERN   CALIFORNIA    SUBSTATION — THE   ORCHARD.  73 

Bavay's  Green  Gage,  Bradshaw,  Bulgarian,  Brignole,  Black  Morocco, 
Belgian  Purple,  Columbia,  Coe's  Golden  Drop,  Coe's  Late  Red,  Copper, 
Clyman,  Duane's  Purple,  Datte  d'Hongrie,  Drap  d'Or  d'Esperen,  Diapree 
Rouge,  Fellenberg,  Green  Gage,  Glaister,  German  Prune,  Goliath,  Gen- 
eral Hand,  Imperial  Gage,  Ive's  Autumn,  Ickworth  Imperatrice,  Jaune 
Hative,  Judson,  Jefferson,  Lucomb's  Nonesuch,  Lombard,  Long-Fruited, 
Monroe's  Gage,  McLaughlin,  Mont  Barbat  d'Ente,  Prince  Englebert, 
Peter's  Yellow  Gage,  Puymirol  d'Ente,  Perdrignon  Blanc,  Precoce  de 
Berthold,  Pond's  Seedling,  Prince  of  Wales,  Quackenbos,  Royal  Hative, 
Simon,  Smith's  Orleans,  St.  Catherine,  St.  Martin,  St.  Lawrence, 
Vineuse,  Washington,  Wangenheim,  Wine-Sour,  Yellow  Egg. 

Some,  and  indeed  many,  of  the  above  varieties  have  never  borne  a  plum 
since  they  were  planted  in  1891  and  1892.  Their  uselessness  for  this 
district  is  evident,  yet  many  of  these  kinds  are  still  being  planted  by 
newcomers. 

Nectarines. — While  some  of  the  nectarines  planted  have  borne  as  well 
as  the  average  peaches,  the  fruit  is  not  in  demand  and  there  is  no 
interest  shown  in  its  culture.  Downton  and  Stanwick  have  always  had 
good  crops;  Elruge  does  well  in  some  seasons.  Lord  Napier,  Pitmaston 
Orange,  and  Rivers'  Orange  have  never  borne  at  all.  Victoria  bears 
very  poorly,  though  receiving  more  water  than  the  rest  of  the  row. 

Other  Deciduous  Fruits. — Peaches  are  elsewhere  reported  upon  more 
at  length.  Seventeen  varieties  of  apricots  are  grown,  one  and  two  trees 
of  each  kind  having  been  planted,  and  some  new  California  varieties 
have  recently  been  added  to  the  collection.  The  apricots  have  not  borne 
fruit  since  1899,  excepting  Royal,  Briggs'  White,  Newcastle,  Flickinger, 
and  Hemskirke.  The  orchard  as  a  whole  is  unprofitable;  apricot  culture 
is  still  on  trial  in  this  district. 

There  are  ten  varieties  of  cherries,  representing  all  types  (two  trees 
of  each),  and  fifteen  varieties  of  almonds  (49  trees).  There  are  also  81 
fig  trees  (usually  listed  among  semi- tropic  fruits),  one  and  two  trees  of 
a  kind,  which  collection  includes  about  everything  which  has  been 
fruited  in  any  part  of  California,  and  embraces  most  of  the  varieties  of 
Capri  grown  by  Mr.  George  Roeding.  There  is  also  a  large  collection  of 
Japanese  persimmons. 

CONCLUSIONS   RESPECTING   DECIDUOUS   FRUITS. 

The  climatic  limitations  upon  certain  lines  of  deciduous  fruit  culture 
here  are  evidently  decisive  as  regards  commercial  possibilities.  But 
these  limitations  only  apply  to  a  similar  soil,  climate,  or  elevation  in 
southern  California,  since  the  success  of  many  of  these  varieties  is  well 
known  in  districts  not  many  miles  from  the  substation. 

Almonds  are  of  medium  quality,  but  the  trees  have  borne  good  crops 
only  twice  in  seven  years.     The  trees  are  extremely  healthy. 

Cherries  have  done  even  worse  than  almonds,  and  may  be  set  down 
as  an  entire  failure  here.  In  fact,  the  cherry  does  not  succeed  anywhere 
over  a  large  district  hereabouts,  and  the  Morello  types  are  little  better 
than  the  large  standard  sorts. 

Fig  trees,  while  growing  very  well,  and  in  demand  for  cuttings  to  send 
to  various  parts  of  the  State,  do  not  bear  first-class  fruit,  whether  pruned 
or  unpruned,  irrigated  or  unirrigated,  by  reason  of  the  " fig-sour,"  for 


74 


UNIVERSITY    OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT    STATION. 


which  no  remedy  has  been  found.     A  few  sorts  usually  escape,  such  as 
Angelique,  Bourjassotte  Grise,  and  the  common  Mission  Black* 

Peaches. — Peaches  form  so  important  an  item  of  the  deciduous  fruit 
crop  that  the  history  of  this  substation  orchard  is  worth  telling  with 
more  detail.  The  earlier  reports  of  the  substation  show  the  great  value 
of  this  crop;  but  in  recent  years,  some  of  the  Persian  types  having  begun 
to  fail,  the  orchard  has  been  extended  by  adding  a  large  number  of 
Southern  and  other  new  varieties,  which  are  now  beginning  to  bear. 
Many  of  the  old  trees  have  suffered  from  root-knot.  The  following  table 
shows  the  crop  yielded  in  four  successive  seasons  by  the  varieties  named. 
All  the  trees  were  well  cared  for  and  irrigated  when  that  was  needful. 
Where  two  trees  of  a  variety  bore,  the  yield  given  is  the  average: 

Teoduct  of  Peach  Trees,  1898-1901. 

1898.          1899.  1900.         1901. 

Alexander 5^  lbs.  32     lbs.  0     lbs.              2^  lbs. 

Amsden's  June 20  "  30  "  15  "  15 

Briggs'  Red  May 14  "  2  0  "                3^    " 

California  Cling 32^  "  50  "  5  "  30 

Chinese  Cling 22  "  20  "  10  "  20 

Comet 117  "  33  "  40  "  60        " 

Coolidge's  Favorite 57  "  11  "  10  "  15 

Crawford,  Early 18  "  iy2  "  10  "  30 

Crawford,  Late 60  "  15  "  10  "  15 

Foster.. 97  "  18  "  22^  "  32^    " 

Grosse  Mignonne _..  32  "  10  "  10  "  37 

Henrietta 35  "  20  "  30  "  30 

Indian  Blood 59  "  20  "  35  "  17^    " 

Large  Early  York 60  "  20  "  10  "  73 

Lewkins' Honey (not  bearing  age)      35  "  40  "  30        " 

Lovell 27     lbs.  25  "  30  "  30 

McDevitt's  Cling. 16  "  0  0                         5 

McKevitt's  Cling 54^  "  0  0  "  10 

Morris  White... 25  "  0  "  0  "  15 

Mountain  Rose.. 37^  "  14  "  5  "  25 

Muir .• 43  "  10  "  5  "  22^    " 

Newhall.... 10  "  0  0                         0 

Oldmixon  Cling 89  "  16  "  20  "  40 

Picquett's  Late 31  "  0  0  "                5 

Runyon's  Orange  Cling  ....  13U  "  35  "  5  "  20 

Salway 41  "  30  "  40    '   "  60 

Sellers'  Cling ..  20  "  30  "  2  "  30 

Smock's  Late  Free 55  "  15  "  47K  "  25 

Stump-the- World 45  "  9  "  10  "  17^    " 

Susquehanna 20  "                   2%  "  1  "                 2%    " 

Ward's  Late  Free 11%  "                  0  0                         0 

Waterloo 10  "  5  0  "  15 

Wilkins'Cling 16  0  0  "  20 

Yellow  St.  John.... 30  "  21  "  60  "  71 

Yellow  Tuscany 63K  "                  %XA  "  20  "  30 

A  glance  at  this  table  will  show  any  orchardist  accustomed  to  peach- 
growing  on  a  commercial  scale  that  very  few  of  these  varieties  are 
yielding  sufficient  to  pay  for  planting.  When  it  comes  to  the  question 
of  small  family  orchards,  quite  a  number  of  them  are  worth  attention. 
The  reduction  in  size  of  crop  in  almost  every  case  shows  the  general 
unsuitability  of  the  standard  Persian  varieties  to  this  district.  The 
only  extremely  early  peach  worth  planting  is  evidently  Amsden's  June. 
Briggs'  Red  May,  Alexander,  and  Waterloo  are  mere  cumberers  of  the 
ground.  Few  varieties  yielded  more  in  1901  than  in  1898,  and  chief 
among  these  were  Large  Early  York,  Grosse  Mignonne,  Yellow  St.  John, 
and  Salway.  The  falling  off  in  the  crops  of  such  standard  varieties  as 
Crawford  Late,  Smock's  Late,  Foster,  McKevitt's  Cling,  Muir,  and  Yel- 


SOUTHERN   CALIFORNIA    SUBSTATION — THE    ORCHARD.  75 

low  Tuscany  was  remarkable.     For  the  four  seasons  as  a  whole,  Comet, 
Foster,  and  Oldmixon  Cling  were  the  best  bearing  kinds. 

Salable  Varieties. — The  foreman  reports  that  the  following  twenty 
varieties  have  given  the  most  satisfaction:  Comet,  Crawford  Early, 
Crawford  Late,  California  Cling,  Coolidge's  Favorite,  Ford's  Improved, 
Foster,  Lovell,  Lewkins'  Honey,  Heath  Cling,  Henrietta,  Muir,  Moun- 
tain Rose,  Runyon's  Cling,  Salway,  Smock's  Late,  Seller's  Cling,  Stump- 
the- World,  Yellow  St.  John,  and  Yellow  Tuscany.  The  quality  and 
appearance  of  all  these  varieties  are  unusually  high.  The  only  trouble 
is  in  the  smallness  of  the  crop  in  many  cases.  It  is  this  difficulty  that 
is  being  met  by  testing  many  new  varieties  of  types  other  than  the 
Persian. 

New  Varieties  on  Trial. — Among  the  new  varieties  now  planted  are 
the  following:  Angel,  Admiral  Dewey,  Belle  of  Georgia,  Beauty's  Blush, 
Caton,  Climax,  Dwarf  Japan  Blood,  Dorothy,  Estella,  Florida  Crawford, 
Everbearing  Francis,  Peen-to,  Red  Ceylon,  Suber,  Waldo,  Waddell, 
Victor,  and  Victoria. 

Peen-to  has  proved  to  be  a  vigorous  grower  and  very  prolific,  but  the 
fruit  is  of  poor  quality  and  small,  though  severely  thinned.  It  begins 
to  show  up  on  the  fruit  stands  of  Los  Angeles,  however,  coming  from 
the  foothills,  and  its  earliness  makes  it  desirable.  It  is  very  subject  to 
leaf  curl.  This  variety  has  been  known  to  ripen  from  ten  to  fifteen  days 
earlier  than  the  Alexander. 

Angel,  an  improved  Peen-to,  a  new  Southern  peach,  is  one  of  the  best 
early  varieties  at  the  substation,  and  "bears  heavily  every  year/'  so  that 
it  is  to  be  recommended  for  general  planting  in  southern  California. 

Honey  (freestone),  of  the  South  China  type,  a  very  sweet  medium 
or  small  peach,  bearing  some  crop  every  year,  even  when  the  standard 
varieties  fail,  is  being  widely  disseminated  by  the  substation.  So  also 
is  the  old  Chinese  Cling,  a  North  China  variety,  poor  for  canning,  but  a 
choice,  well-flavored  cling  for  other  uses,  and  a  regular  bearer,  even  in 
unfavorable  seasons. 

The  true  Elberta  proves  to  be  one  of  the  best  peaches  grown  here.  It 
makes  a  large,  vigorous  tree,  bears  well,  and  the  fruit  is  of  fair  quality 
for  a  large,  yellow  variety. 

Reviewing  the  subject  of  peaches  for  this  district,  we  reach  the  con- 
clusion that  the  Southern  types  grown  extensively  in  Texas,  Georgia, 
and  Florida,  are  the  most  promising  for  future  experiment,  but  that 
crosses  upon  the  best  Persian  varieties,  so  as  to  obtain  their  size,  firm- 
ness, and  quality,  will  be  required  by  the  orchardists  of  southern 
California. 

OLIVES. 

From  the  commercial  standpoint,  olive-culture  in  this  district  in 
recent  years  has  not  been  as  prosperous  as  it  was  formerly.  The  olive 
crop  at  the  fine  orchard  of  the  substation  has  been  small  for  several 
years  past.  There  are  about  150  trees,  including  all  the  varieties  grown 
in  California.  Less  than  half  a  dozen  varieties,  however,  have  been 
bearing  well  in  recent  years,  although  the  trees  receive  the  best  of  culture, 
have  been  fumigated  to  destroy  the  scale,  and  are  well  irrigated. 
Columbella,  Mission,  Rubra,  Manzanillo,  and  Pendulina  have  been 
among  the  best-bearing  varieties  here.  The  value  of  this  representative 
collection,  which  is  now  one  of  the  best  in  California,  is  not  lessened  for 


76  UNIVERSITY   OF    CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT    STATION. 

study  and  distribution  to  other  districts  by  the  fact  of  the  non-bearing 
of  so  many  sorts  here. 

Frost  Effects  on  Olives,  1901-2. — The  following  notes  upon  the  compar- 
ative hardiness  of  olives  were  taken  by  Mr.  Mills,  the  foreman:  The 
lowest  temperature  ranged  down  to  23°  and  28°  (in  December  and  Jan- 
uary). The  crop  of  Ascolino  was  badly  frozen.  It  was  light,  and  the 
olives  were  ripe  when  the  frost  came,  December  13,  1901.  The  crop  of 
Santa  Catarina  was  only  slightly  hurt.  The  fruit  was  ripe,  but  only  that 
on  the  southeast  side  was  damaged.  Oblonga  was  very  badly  frozen. 
There  were  few  olives  on  the  tree.  Regalis,  Polymorpha,  Picholine 
(true),  and  Macrocarpa  all  had  ripe  fruit,  which  was  destroyed  by  the 
frost.  Columbella  had  the  ripe  olives  destroyed  and  the  green  ones 
badly  injured.  Manzanillo  had  both  ripe  and  green  fruit  ruined. 
Prsecox  and  Rubra  bore  a  small  crop,  which  was  but  slightly  hurt. 
Nevadillo  Blanco,  Pendulina,  Huff's  Spanish,  and  Picholine  St.  Chamas, 
all  with  very  small  crops,  were  badly  damaged.  Cayon  stood  the  cold 
well.  The  crops  of  Attica  and  Mission,  the  fruit  on  which  was  still 
green,  were  very  little  hurt  by  the  frost.  The  Dalmatian  olives  were 
ripe  and  picked  before  the  freeze.  Redding  Picholine  bore  very  little, 
but  stood  very  well.  The  above  twenty  varieties  were  all  that  had  any 
fruit.  No  olives  had  been  frozen  at  the  substation  in  previous  seasons. 
Most  of  the  crop  has  been  picked  before  the  severe  frosts,  but  the  "left- 
overs" have  not  been  frozen  heretofore.  The  trees  themselves  have 
never  been  injured  by  frost. 

CITRUS  FRUITS. 

Oranges  and  lemons  have  done  well  in  recent  years,  and  the  grove  is 
an  excellent  representative  collection.  The  orange  crop  of  the  spring 
of  1899  was  5,847  pounds,  from  58  trees  ;  that  of  1900  was  6,727  pounds, 
from  59  trees ;  that  of  1901  was  8,671  pounds,  from  54  trees  ;  that  of  the 
spring  of  1902,  the  season  just  passed,  was  3,444  pounds,  from  39  trees, 
the  late  Valencias  not  being  ripe,  and  losses  from  splits  and  windfalls 
being  greater  than  usual.     The  last  estimate  was  made  May  1,  1902. 

Comparative  Yields. — The  following  table  shows  the  yields  for  four 
years  of  selected  trees  in  the  grove.  Two  trees  of  Washington  Navel 
were  taken.  The  large  crops  of  some  other  varieties  will  be  noted,  which 
for  home  use  here  are  excellent,  although  less  valuable  for  market 
than  Washington  Navel.  The  average  crops  of  all  the  trees  in  each 
case  (last  column)  shows  that  Magnum  Bonum  and  Pineapple  have 
yielded  much  the  best  crops.  The  "  good  "  tree  of  Washington  Navel 
was  one  of  six  whose  average  was  154  pounds  per  tree  per  year.  These 
six  would  therefore  rank,  in  point  of  productiveness,  as  No.  5  on  the 
list  shown  in  the  table,  or  below  Ruby.  The  best  tree  listed  ranks  as 
No.  3  in  the  table,  being  surpassed  by  both  Magnum  Bonum  and  Pine- 
apple. 

Comparative  Yields  of  Varieties. 

Crop  Crot)  Crop  Crop  Av'ge 

Name.  1899  1900  1901  1902       per  Remarks, 

lbs.  lbs.  lbs.  lbs.     year. 

Wash.  Navel poor  tree    23  110  88  63      711     Crop  average  of  12  trees  was  96 

Wash.  Navel good    "       79  340  344        70    208  f        lbs.  per  year  per  tree. 

Pineapple •'       "     246      286      375      127    257+  Crop  average  of  4  trees  was  187 

lbs.  per  year  per  tree. 


SOUTHERN   CALIFORNIA    SUBSTATION — CITRUS   FRUITS.  77 

Comparative  Yields  of  Varieties— Continued. 

Crop    Crop    Crop    Crop  Av'ge 
Name.  1899     1900      1901     1902      per  Remarks, 

lbs.     lbs.      lbs.      lbs.     year. 
Ruby ...good  tree  177      186      314      150    206+  Crop  average  of  4  trees  was  156 

lbs.  per  year  per  tree. 
King "       "      60         6      192      ...      86      Crop  average  of  2  trees,  as  above, 

64  lbs. 
Tangerine "       "      60       36        27        28      37+  Crop  average  of  4  trees,  3  years, 

was  43  lbs.  per  tree. 
Jaffa "       u     100        16      150      ...      88+  Crop  average  of  4  trees,  4  years, 

was  64  lbs. 
Homosassa "       "     199      192      211      147    187+ Crop  average  of  4  trees,  4  years, 

was  165  lbs. 
Valencia  Late "       "      53      119      188        54    103+ Crop  average  of  2  trees,  3  years, 

was  130  lbs. 
Magnum  Bonum..    "       "     381      255      258      200    271      Crop  average  of  4  trees, 4  years, 

was  191  lbs. 
Parson  Brown "       "     218      160      277       68    180+ Crop  average  of  4  trees,  4  years, 

was  153  lbs. 
Malta  Blood "       "      35      165      320       84    151+ Crop  average  of  2  trees,  4  years, 

was  118  lbs. 
Medit'an  Sweet....    "       "     132        50      271      136    147      One  tree. 

Frost  Effects  on  the  Oranges  and  Lemons. — The  citrus  fruits  were  notice- 
ably hurt  by  the  frosts  of  December  13,  1901  (23°) ,  and  January  29, 
1902  (28°).  On  the  30th  of  January  Mr.  Mills  noted  the  condition  of 
the  trees  and  made  an  excellent  report,  from  which  I  quote  as  follows: 
The  orange  trees  that  are  large  and  well-grown  were  practically  unin- 
jured, only  the  late  fall  growth  being  injured  where  it  was  exposed  to 
the  rays  of  the  rising  sun,  causing  the  wood  to  die  back  to  the  last  sum- 
mer's growth.  Young  orange  trees  of  last  summer's  planting  were 
killed  back  nearly  to  the  ground,  even  when  wrapped  with  two  thick- 
nesses of  Japanese  matting.  The  trees  of  Kumquat,  Kino-Kuno,  and 
Oonshiu  were  not  injured,  but  the  fruit  of  the  latter  was  ruined,  all  the 
cells  being  dried  out  on  one  side,  even  when  not  exposed  to  the  sun. 
The  effect  of  frost  on  the  fruit  of  the  orange  is  shown  ( 1 )  by  the  drying 
out  of  the  cells,  (2)  by  the  disintegration  of  the  cells  and  the  separation 
of  the  divisions  of  the  pericarp  in  the  center  of  the  orange,  and  (3)  by 
the  shriveling  of  the  whole  fruit,  rind  and  stem. 

The  first  condition  has  heretofore  been  the  most  noticeable,  but  the 
second  now  seems  to  be  more  prevalent  than  usual.  Fruit  affected  in 
the  second  way  is  full  of  juice,  but  it  is  thin,  insipid  juice,  which  is  con- 
fined to  the  inside  of  the  divisions  of  the  pericarp,  but  is  both  inside  and 
outside  of  the  cells.  Such  fruit  is  soft  and  mushy  inside,  has  a  bad  taste, 
and  will  not  keep  under  any  condition.  The  outside  appearance  of 
such  fruit  would  indicate  that  it  is  first  class  except  to  an  experienced 
eye.  Majorca,  Malta  Blood,  and  Mediterranean  Sweet  seem  to  be  most 
severely  affected  in  this  way,  although  the  trouble  extends  to  the  Navel 
oranges  in  some  of  the  Pomona  groves. 

The  shriveled  fruit  (type  3)  seems  to  be  affected  by  the  stem  having 
been  injured  by  the  frost.  Such  fruit  is  heavy  and  full  of  juice,  but  the 
shrunken  skin  renders  it  unsalable. 

The  thick-skinned  oranges  of  all  varieties  have  the  fewest  empty  cells. 
A  striking  example  of  the  immunity  from  frost  of  thick-skinned  and 
dormant  oranges  was  afforded  by  a  common  seedling  tree  at  the  lower 
end  of  the  grove,  which  had  been  gophered  and  had  not  made  any 
growth  last  season.  The  foliage  was  so  small  and  thin  that  the  oranges 
could  be  seen  all  over  the  tree  from  any  direction.  The  fruit  was  of 
ordinary  size  with  rather  a  thick  skin,  but  six  weeks  after  the  frost  it 


78  UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT    STATION. 

was  heavy,  full  of  juice,  and  of  fine  flavor.  Specimens  picked  from  the 
most  exposed  portion  of  the  tree  showed  no  ill  effect  from  the  frost.  The 
trees  have  a  healthy,  green  color,  but  the  leaves  are  less  than  half  the 
normal  size.  The  foliage  did  not  show  any  ill  effect  of  the  frost  other 
than  a  dull  appearance  for  a  short  time  afterward. 

St.  Michael,  Oonshiu,  and  King  were  the  most  seriously  injured,  most 
of  the  cells  being  dry.  Tangerine  (Dancy)  had  fifty  per  cent  of  the 
exposed  fruit  injured  by  the  frost,  but  that  in  protected  parts  of  the  tree 
was  uninjured.  At  the  station  the  Washington  Navel  is  injured  most 
by  the  shriveling  of  the  whole  fruit. 

Protection  Against  Winds. — The  location  of  the  substation,  in  the 
middle  of  the  valley,  renders  some  protection  against  wind  storms 
useful.  A  number  of  eucalyptus  trees  grown  at  the  Santa  Monica 
station  have,  therefore,  been  planted  on  the  eastern  side,  across  the 
road,  on  vacant  land  belonging  to  the  Chino  Company,  who  gave  per- 
mission, and  will  leave  the  trees  as  long  as  desired. 

It  is  the  general  experience  of  growers  that  citrus  trees  need  all  avail- 
able protection  in  localities  subject  to  frosts  or  violent  winds.  Other 
things  being  equal,  trees  which  have  been  injured  by  wind  storms 
become  more  susceptible  to  frosts.  Dense  windbreaks  improperly  located 
may,  however,  serve  to  collect  cold  air,  and  so  increase  the  frost  injury 
to  an  orange  grove.  When  an  orchard  entirely  inclosed  by  a  dense 
windbreak  is  situated  on  a  slope,  the  frost  damage  as  a  rule  increases 
toward  the  lower  side.  Sometimes  the  central  portion  is  most  affected, 
owing,  it  is  probable,  to  insufficient  irrigation.  The  lower  end  of  a 
sloping  orchard  is  likely  to  have  a  surplus  of  water,  and  the  upper  end 
gets  some  surplus  from  the  head  ditch,  but  the  middle  portion  often 
suffers,  and  trees  there  may  be  severely  injured  by  frost.  In  many' 
cases  it  has  proved  useful  to  divide  an  orange  grove  into  plots  of  two  or 
three  acres  by  windbreaks.  The  loss  of  land  is  considerable.  Wind- 
breaks, especially  when  intended  to  shelter  larger  areas  than  two  acres, 
should  not  be  too  dense;  trees  planted  in  small  clumps,  or  if  in  rows, 
with  space  between  to  let  the  wind  pass,  while  somewhat  breaking  its 
force,  are  better  than  "tree  walls"  or  hedges. 

In  many  places,  especially  in  a  foothill  country,  it  is  practicable  to 
study  the  wind  currents  and  direct  or  modify  them  by  planting  masses 
of  tall  trees,  even  at  a  considerable  distance  from  the  orchard  or  house 
to  be  sheltered,  instead  of  in  a  close,  high  wall  around  a  few  acres.  In 
the  middle  of  the  Chino  Valley,  where  all  that  is  needed  is  some  shelter 
against  occasional  wind  and  sand  storms,  a  small  block  of  eucalypts  will 
be  of  considerable  service  in  protecting  the  orange  grove. 

THE  VINEYARD. 

A  large  number  of  cuttings  of  valuable  grapes  continue  to  be  distributed 
from  the  vineyard  of  the  substation,  which  is  about  four  acres  in  extent 
and  includes  nearly  two  hundred  and  fifty  varieties.  This  season,  ship- 
ments were  made  to  many  points,  but  the  vineyard  at  Tulare  still  supplies 
more  cuttings  than  any  other  substation.  The  experimental  vineyards 
of  the  various  substations  now  form  the  largest  and  most  available 
collection  of  European  grapes  known  to  exist  in  the  United  States,  and 
they  have  been  drawn  upon  in  recent  years  by  various  other  stations 
and  by  foreign  governments. 


SOUTHERN   CALIFORNIA   SUBSTATION — THE    VINEYARD. 


79 


Grafting  on  Resistant  Stocks. — In  March,  1901,  Mr.  Bioletti,  then  viti- 
culturist  of  the  Department,  went  to  the  substation  and  carried  on  some 
grafting  experiments  on  resistant  roots  of  various  sorts.  The  percentage 
of  successful  unions  was  low,  owing  to  the  injury  of  many  young  vines 
by  the  hot  sun. 

The  principal  work  done  was  with  Muscats  ;  other  small  lots  grafted 
were  only  to  test  the  affinity  which  they  might  have  with  different  vari- 
eties of  resistant  vines.  In  France  the  Bouschet  grapes,  it  is  said,  have 
little  affinity  for  resistant  stocks;  but  some  of  the  best  unions  made  at 
the  substation  were  with  Alicante  Bouschet. 

In  all  cases  the  grafts  were  examined  and  any  roots  rubbed  off  from 
the  upper  scions  in  May  and  in  July,  when  the  raffia  ties  were  cut.  The 
ground  was  irrigated  when  needful.  An  excellent  growth  was  made  in 
most  cases.  Mr.  Mills  reports  that  "long  grafts,"  that  is,  long  cuts  of 
an  inch  and  a  half  at  the  point  of  union  of  the  two  scions,  develop  less 
knot  than  short  unions  do,  and  are  in  every  way  preferable.  The  follow- 
ing table  shows  results  of  this  grafting: 

Grafts  on  Resistant  Stocks. 

Total  Number  Number          .    flro„„ 

uQn,aon^tnnv  Number  Number  Which  Which          £I^?& 

Name  and  Stock.  Planted.  Which        Made  Good     Made  Poor       ^owtb. 

Muscat  on —  Grew.  Unions.  Unions. 

Rupestris  St.  George 680  95  60  35  9  to  14  in. 

Rupestris  Martin 374  89  69  20  9"  12  " 

Riparia  X  Rupestris  101  ._..  749  151  121  30  9  "  12  " 

Riparia  X  Rupestris  3309  .  798  254  179  75  9  "  12  " 

Riparia GloiredeMontpellier  50  7  7  0  9  "  12  " 

Riparia  Grande  Glabre 58  8  8  0  9  "  19  " 

Palomino  on — 

Rupestris  St.  George 34  5  5  0  24  "  40  " 

Riparia  X  Rupestris  101 38  5  2  3  24"  48  " 

Riparia  X  Rupestris  3309  ...  38  8  7  1  24  "  40  u 

Riparia  Grande  Glabre 34  3  2  1  24  u  40  " 

Rupestris  Martin 40  6  4  2  12  "   24  " 

Feher  Szagos  on — 

Rupestris  St.  George 11  2  2  0  12  "  18  " 

Rupestris  Martin 11  0  0  0 

Riparia  X  Rupestris  101 11  2  2  0  12  "  18  " 

Riparia  X  Rupestris  3309...  11  0  0  0 

Riparia  Grande  Glabre 12  1  1  0                   15  " 

Sultanina  on — 

Riparia  X  Rupestris  101  ....  29  2  2  0  15  "  25  " 

Riparia  X  Rupestris  3309  ...  28  8  8  0  15  "  25  " 

Rupestris  St.  George 28  2  2  0                   24  " 

Rupestris  Martin . 30  5  5  0  24  "  35  " 

Riparia  Grande  Glabre 30  3  3  0  24  "  35  " 

Sultana  on — 

Riparia  X  Rupestris  101  ....  12  3  3  0                   16  " 

Riparia  X  Rupestris  3309  ...  12  3  3  0  16  "  20  " 

Rupestris  St.  George 12  1  1  0                   24  " 

Rupestris  Martin (?)  3  3  0  15  "  24  " 

Alicante  Bouschet  on — 

Riparia  X  Rupestris  101  ....  17  5  3  2  10  "  18  " 

Riparia  X  Rupestris  3309  ...  18  9  9  0  15  "  24  " 

Rupestris  St.  George 20  4  4  0  15  "  24  " 

Rupestris  Martin... 20  1  1  0                   18  " 

Riparia  Grande  Glabre 20  1  0  1                   12  " 

New  Grapes  from  the  Department  of  Agriculture. — The  department  sent, 
in  the  spring  of  1901,  cuttings  of  ten  new  varieties  of  grapes,  under  Nos. 
5908-5918.  All  these  were  grafted  into  ten-year-old  vines  of  Bakator, 
and  small  pieces  were  rooted  in  the  nursery.  One  variety,  No.  5911, 
made  a  feeble  growth  and  finally  died,  both  grafts  and  cuttings,  so  that 
this  kind  is  lost.     The  other  nine  varieties  made  first-class  growth, 


80  UNIVERSITY   OF    CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT    STATION. 

furnished  from  80  to  279  cuttings  of  each  sort  in  the  fall  of  1901,  subject 
to  orders  from  the  Department.  The  longest  cane  of  No.  5419  grew  15 
feet  in  the  season.  Nos.  5909,  5910,  and  5913  grew  very  late,  and  more 
or  less  of  the  wood  was  killed  by  frost;  Nos.  5917  and  5918,  like  5914, 
ripened  thoroughly.  Nos.  5915  and  5916  were  only  fairly  well  ripened. 
One  graft,  that  of  No.  5913,  which  made  a  growth  of  15  feet, 'bore  two 
crops  of  grapes.  One  bunch  was  over  a  foot  long.  The  fruit  was  dark 
blue  with  a  tough  skin.  The  vine  was  very  prolific,  and  bore  and  ripened 
grapes  till  frost.  Another  variety  that  bore  two  crops  was  No.  5912,  a 
fine  white  grape.  Mr.  Mills  measured  the  growths  made  by  these  vines, 
one  of  each  of  the  nine  varieties  grafted,  and  found  that  the  total  length 
of  main  canes  and  laterals  was  from  100  to  380  feet  each,  an  excellent 
illustration  of  the  rapidity  with  which  grafts  on  strong,  old  vines  develop 
under  favorable  conditions. 

Notes  on  Table  Grapes. — Mr.  J.  W.  Mills,  the  foreman,  furnishes  the 
following  brief,  practical  notes  upon  various  varieties  of  grapes  used 
here  for. the  table,  and  some  of  them  as  noted  for  wine: 

Alicante  Bouschet  is  a  favorite  table  and  cooking  grape  in  this 
locality,  the  bunches  being  of  good  size,  and  the  vine  a  heavy  bearer. 
It  is  also  in  demand  with  wineries. 

Almeria  is  very  late  here,  ripening  in  November  and  December.  It 
is  a  shy  bearer,  and  is  not  recommended  for  the  sandy  soil  of  the  Chino 
valley. 

Black  Corinth  is  also  late.  The  bunches  are  long  (8  to  14  inches) 
and  loose.  The  berries  are  a  little  smaller  than  those  of  Purple  Corni- 
chon,  of  good  flavor  when  ripe,  and  keep  well.  This  grape  cracks  but 
slightly  under  the  early  rains.  Pruned  long  and  tied  to  a  stake,  Black 
Corinth  produced  abundantly  in  1901  (some  vines  70  pounds),  after 
having  been  killed  back  by  frost  on  March  31st  when  the  growth  was 
2  to  4  inches  long,  thus  showing  its  hardiness. 

Black  Morocco  is  a  good,  late  black  grape  of  largest  size;  bunches 
medium  size.  It  yields  large  second  crop,  and  is  recommended  for  this 
section. 

Black  Muscat  yields  large,  poorly  filled  bunches  (badly  affected  with 
coulure).     It  is  of  good  quality,  but  is  not  very  prolific. 

Blue  Portuguese  is  very  early,  the  first  ripe  being  in  August,  and  is 
prolific,  whether  pruned  long  or  short,  so  that  we  recommend  it  for  trial 
in  the  Indio  district. 

Bowood  Muscat  is  a  slight  improvement  on  the  Muscat  of  Alexandria, 
and  in  fact,  the  best  of  the  Muscats  here. 

Chasselas  Rose  is  a  general  favorite,  and  is  excellent  for  home  use. 
Vine,  bunches,  and  berries  are  small,  but  early. 

Cinsaut  holds  its  reputation  in  dry,  sandy  soil.  It  is  very  sensitive  to 
frost,  even  when  the  buds  are  not  yet  open,  but  highly  deserves  trial  in 
the  Indio  district. 

Cipro  Nero  is  the  best  late  purple  shipping  grape  here;  ripens  in 
November.  The  vines  are  prolific,  whether  pruned  long  or  short.  The 
bunches  and  berries  are  large  and  fine.  Most  of  the  crop  was  ruined  in 
1901  by  early  rains. 

Emperor:  The  vine  grows  rankly,  and  produces  well  when  young. 
Grapes  are  few,  but  all  are  large  and  well-shaped,  though  poorly  colored 
and  of  inferior  flavor.     It  can  not  be  recommended  for  this  section. 


SOUTHERN    CALIFORNIA    SUBSTATION—  THE    VINEYARD.  81 

Flame  Tokay  is  neither  prolific  nor  very  well  colored  here.  The  soil 
is  too  light  for  this  grape. 

Golden  Queen  is  extremely  prolific;  the  bunches  are  large  and  perfect. 
It  is  a  late  sort  (November),  and  a  good  keeper.  The  bunches  of  this 
grape  have  the  appearance  of  first-class  Muscats,  except  that  the 
shoulders  are  less  prominent.  It  does  not  crack  when  rained  on,  but 
decays  in  small  brown  spots  when  prolonged  wet  weather  occurs. 

Gros  Colman  bears  well  and  the  berry  is  of  good  quality,  but  is  smaller 
than  elsewhere.  The  variety  does  not  stand  extremely  warm  weather, 
and  the  bunches  are  nearly  all  imperfect. 

Luglienga  is  a  white  and  early  variety  (July),  and  one  of  the  shyest 
of  bearers,  but  of  good  quality.  It  is  not  adapted  to  the  sandy  soil  of 
Chino  Valley. 

Malaga  is  a  very  rank  grower,  but  not  prolific.  Vineyards  of  this 
grape  in  this  neighborhood  have  been  taken  out. 

Muscat  of  Alexandria  is  a  poor  producer,  and  bunches  imperfect. 

Muscatello  Fino  is  a  poor  bearer,  but  of  best  quality.  The  vines 
recovered  well  from  frost  in  1901. 

Napoleon:  This  grape  ripens  in  September  and  October.  It  is  prolific; 
a  sure  cropper.  Berries  and  bunches  are  of  good  size,  and  on  the  whole 
it  is  one  of  our  best  late  white  grapes. 

Olivette  de  Cattane  is  about  the  best  all-season  white  grape  here.  It 
ripens  early  in  August,  and  holds  its  good  quality  until  December.  The 
vine  is  a  strong  grower,  the  bunches  are  full  and  large;  it  is  moderately 
productive. 

Pizzutello  di  Roma  is  a  white,  crescent-shaped,  tender  and  crisp  grape. 
Its  seeds  here  are  strong  in  tannin  and  not  agreeable  in  taste;  it  is  a 
medium  bearer. 

Purple  Damascus  is  an  early  grape  with  large  bunches  and  berries,  but 
badly  affected  with  coulure.  The  quality  is  not  first  rate.  This  variety 
is  excellent  for  arbors  but  not  for  vineyards,  but  it  would  suit  the  Indio 
district. 

Quagliano:  This  grape  is  of  medium  quality,  but  a  poor  keeper,  and 
therefore  not  recommended. 

Sultana  is  the  best  of  the  seedless  grapes  for  this  region. 

Thompson's  Seedless  is  a  shy  bearer,  and  not  worth  planting  here. 

Torok  Goher  Noir  seems  nearly  identical  with  Gros  Colman,  but  the 
berry  is  larger  and  the  bunches  are  larger  and  more  perfect.  It  is  an 
excellent  large  black  grape. 

Trivata  resembles  Black  Morocco,  but  is  inferior  in  quality.  It  is 
very  late,  the  second  crop  constituting  the  bulk  of  the  product.  It  is 
spoiled  by  early  rains  every  year,  and  is  slow  to  recover  from  the  spring 
frosts. 

Verdal  is  a  fine  white  grape,  which  ripens  late  (October  or  November). 
It  is  tender,  and  of  fine  quality.  The  vine  is  prolific,  and  a  rank 
grower. 

White  Tokay  is  only  moderately  prolific,  and  not  recommended. 

Zabalkanski  has  long,  imperfect  bunches,  ripening  unevenly,  and  is 
always  affected  with  coulure. 

The  list  of  Persian  grapes  includes  some  excellent  sorts,  but  Alakahee, 
Ashanee,  Rish  Baba,  and  Hutab  have  imperfect  bunches  and  bear 
poorly.     Pizzutello  di  Roma  resembles  these,  but  is  more  productive  and 

6 


82  UNIVERSITY    OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT   STATION. 

has  better  fruit.  Askaree  is  a  very  early  Persian  grape  with  medium- 
sized  bunches  and  berries.  The  fruit  is  white  and  very  crisp  and  sweet. 
The  vine  is  not  as  rank  a  grower  as  other  Persian  varieties.  It  is  worthy 
of  trial  in  Indio.  Black  Shahanee  is  early  (August)  and  very  prolific; 
its  bunches  are  of  good  size,  but  the  berries  are  less  than  medium.  This 
also  is  worthy  of  trial  in  Indio.  Chavooshee  ripens  in  September;  it 
has  large,  long,  loose  bunches,  and  the  berries  are  the  size  and  shape 
of  Cornichon,  and  white,  crisp,  and  of  good  flavor.  Khahallee  also 
ripens  in  September.  The  bunches  are  medium;  the  berries  are  of  good 
size,  bluish-black,  pointed,  and  very  crisp  and  sweet.  It  is  a  favorite 
with  all,  and  can  be  highly  recommended.  Payhanee  Razukee  is  a  red, 
early  grape,  a  poor  producer,  and  badly  affected  by  coulure.  It  is  very 
attractive  when  grown  and  might  do  better  in  Indio.  Persians  Nos.  20, 
22,  23,  24,  25,  and  26  are  always  barren,  although  the  vines  make  a 
prodigious  growth.  No.  21  produces  a  few  fine  bunches  of  large-sized 
grapes,  earlier  than  Thompson's  Seedless  by  two  or  three  weeks. 

American  grapes  are  more  or  less  in  demand  in  southern  California, 
and  cuttings  are  often  asked  for. 

Agawam  ripens  in  September.  It  is  a  reddish-brown,  large  grape  of 
extra  fine  flavor  and  is  moderately  prolific. 

Aminia  ripened  on  August  8th.  It  is  a  large  black  grape  with 
heavy  bloom,  and  of  good  flavor. 

August  Giant  ripened  on  August  15th.  It  is  a  large  purple  grape  and 
unproductive. 

Brighton  ripened  on  August  5th.  The  fruit  was  above  medium  size, 
sweet,  of  good  flavor,  and  very  tough. 

Brilliant  ripened  on  August  10th.  The  bunches  were  small  and  close, 
of  dull  red  color,  good  flavor,  sweet,  tough  flesh,  and  tender  skin.  It  is 
very  prolific  and  bears  a  heavy  second  crop. 

Campbell's  Early  ripened  on  August  5th.  The  fruit  is  purple  in 
color,  of  large  size,  mild  flavor,  and  sweet  with  moderately  tough  flesh. 
This  variety  yields  a  very  large  crop. 

Dr.  Hexamer  ripened  on  August  10th.  The  fruit  is  reddish,  with 
heavy  purple  bloom;  quality  is  poor. 

Governor  Ross  ripened  on  August  5th.  It  is  a  white  grape,  of  medium 
size,  and  delicate  flavor. 

Green  Mountain  ripened  on  July  20th.  The  fruit  is  white,  small, 
sweet,  and  moderately  tender. 

Herbert  ripened  on  August  12th.  It  is  a  large,  reddish  purple  grape 
and  a  good  bearer. 

Lindley  ripened  on  August  10th.  It  is  a  bright  red  grape,  above 
medium  size,  with  tough  skin,  tender  flesh,  and  good  flavor. 

Moore's  Diamond  ripened  on  August  5th.  It  is  a  white  grape,  of 
medium  size,  fine  flavor,  sweet  and  tender. 

Rockwood  ripened  on  August  8th.  It  is  a  small,  black  grape  with 
heavy  blue  bloom;  flesh  tough,  sweet,  and  of  good  flavor. 

In  the  above  list  of  American  grapes  Campbell's  Early  and  Agawam 
are  the  two  best  varieties  for  this  locality.  Moore's  Diamond  is  better 
than  the  average  in  all  respects,  and  Governor  Ross  could  be  recom- 
mended excepting  for  its  shyness  in  bearing. 


SOUTHERN   CALIFORNIA    SUBSTATION — SMALL   CULTURES.  83 


SMALL  CULTURES. 

At  this  substation,  a  large  number  of  the  varieties  of  seeds  sent  out 
by  the  Department  of  Agriculture  have  been  tested  at  various  times,  on 
both  the  home  tract  and  the  moist  land.  Some  had  been  previously 
grown  here,  and  others  were  new  to  the  district. 

Alfalfa. — This  crop  is  one  of  great  importance  in  the  district,  and 
more  is  sown  every  year.  It  usually  does  well  on  the  ten-acre  tract 
without  irrigation,  though  dodder,  and  in  a  few  spots  strong  alkali,  have 
injured  it.  On  the  home  tract  irrigation  is  needful.  The  Turkestan 
alfalfas  sent  out  by  the  Department  have  proved  a  valuable  acquisition. 
Nos.  1150,  1151,  and  others  of  the  Hansen  collection  were  sent  here  in 
1899,  and  have  been  tested  ever  since.  Planted  in  the  spring  of  1900, 
Nos.  1150  and  1151  were  6  inches  high  by  July.  At  first  no  difference 
in  growth  between  these  and  the  common  alfalfa  could  be  observed. 
Gophers  destroyed  a  good  deal  of  all  the  alfalfas  this  year,  as  in  spite  of 
all  efforts  to  poison  them,  they  "came  in"  from  the  surrounding  fields, 
which  were  barren.  Turkestan  and  other  alfalfas  were  again  sown  in 
1901.  At  the  end  of  March,  1902,  the  Turkestan  alfalfa  was  twice  as 
high  as  the  common  kinds  under  the  same  conditions,  both  plants  several 
years  old  and  the  younger  plants.  Sown  on  the  dry  land  of  the  home 
tract,  both  Turkestan  and  common  alfalfa  died  from  drought.  On  any 
good  alfalfa  land  here,  the  Turkestan  varieties  soon  take  the  lead.  At 
Paso  Robles  substation,  the  Turkestan  alfalfa  was  not  as  large  as  the 
common  alfalfa,  but  stood  drought  better,  although  here  a  local  variety 
was  even  better  in  regard  to  drought-resistance. 

Asparagus  Chicory  (Cichorium  intybus),  No.  4360. — This  was  planted 
on  the  moist  land  of  the  ten-acre  tract.  It  grew  Si  feet  high.  The 
rosettes  of  much-thickened  leaves  were  not  locally  in  favor  when  cooked, 
a  great  variety  of  vegetables  being  easily  grown  in  the  district. 

Bassia  dallachyana. — This  is  an  erect  undershrub  whose  fruiting  calyx 
is  covered  with  a  dense  cottony  substance.  It  has  been  suggested  that 
this  might  be  valuable  for  cotton  or  felt.  Seeds  were  sown  in  the  green- 
house, spring  of  1901,  and  transplanted  to  the  field,  home  tract,  where 
they  grew  vigorously  and  are  3  feet  high  or  more.  Sheep  eat  this  plant 
readily,  but  Dr.  Koch  says  when  in  fruit  it  is  injurious  to  livestock. 

Broad  Beans  (Viciafaba). — These  hardy  beans,  justly  becoming  pop- 
ular in  the  coast  valleys  of  California,  have  now  been  tested  for  several 
seasons  at  this  substation  both  on  the  home  tract  and  the  ten-acre  plot. 
A  complete  collection  was  obtained  several  years  ago  from  Vilmorin  and 
another  from  Sutton.  Nearly  all  the  Department  of  Agriculture  importa- 
tions have  also  been  tested  (Nos.  3628,  8751-58,  1453,  1454,  and  others), 
with  the  same  results.  Where  early  autumn  sowing  and.  winter  irriga- 
tion can  be  practiced,  the  broad  beans  are  worthy  of  further  trial,  but 
not  for  ordinary  field  conditions  in  this  district. 

Broccoli. — Nos.  4355-9,  five  varieties  from  Naples,  Italy — the  Purple 
Navidad,  Santa  Teresa,  White  San  Isador,  San  Martinari,  and  Gen- 
narese — were  sown  March,  1900,  on  the  ten-acre  tract.  They  came  up 
well,  but  many  were  killed  by  alkali  while  the  cotyledons  were  still 


84  UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA —EXPERIMENT   STATION. 

expanding.  The  few  that  remained  made  a  poor  growth,  it  being 
a  very  dry  year.  Nos.  4482  and  4483,  also  from  Naples,  and  planted 
about  the  same  time  on  the  ten-acre  tract,  were  also  much  injured  by 
alkali.  The  tallest  plants  were  2  feet  high.  Autumn-sown  broccoli  and 
cauliflower  suit  the  district  admirably  if  planted  on  any  fairly  good  soil. 

Burdock  (Lappa  major). — One  variety  of  this  plant,  used  in  Japan  as 
a  vegetable,  was  grown  at  the  substation,  on  the  home  tract,  several 
years  ago,  and  grew  very  well.  Nos.  4981,  4982,  and  4983  of  the 
Inventory  were  grown  in  1900  and  1901  on  the  ten-acre  tract,  where  the 
alkali  destroyed  the  plants. 

Carrots. — Eight  varieties  of  field  and  other  carrots  were  grown  on  the 
moist  land  in  1901.  They  stood  the  alkali  fairly  well,  but  the  yield 
was  surprisingly  low  for  a  soil  which  yields  so  well  in  beets.  The  yield 
of  the  best  per  acre  was  as  follows:  Long  Horn,  4.25  tons;  Large  White 
Vosges,  3.75  tons;  Improved  White  Short,  3.25  tons;  Large  White  Belgian, 
1.5  tons;  Red  Meaux,  1.25  tons;  Long  Red  Aldringham,  .75  of  a  ton. 
The  ordinary  yield  of  Long  White  Belgian  on  such  soil  as  this,  but  free 
from  alkali,  should  be  not  less  than  12  tons,  and  in  any  case  the 
yield  of  the  White  Short  would  be  much  less.  The  above  results  are 
probably  traceable  to  the  evil  effects  of  alkali,  which  were  greater  on 
the  deep-rooting  sorts. 

Chards  (Beta  vulgaris). — This,  the  " Swiss  Silver-Ribbed,"  Nos.  4361 
and  4362  (curled),  was  planted  on  the  ten-acre  tract.  Both  varieties 
suffered  from  drought  and  blight.  The  Chilean  scarlet  and  Chilean 
yellow  (both  classed  with  the  chards),  more  often  used  for  ornamental 
purposes,  Nos.  4363  and  4364,  have  also  been  grown  here  in  previous 
seasons  and  have  thriven  very  well.  As  a  rule,  there  is  little  blight  on 
any  variety  of  beet.  March  28th  was  the  time  of  planting  these  chards 
in  1900. 

Cotton  (Egyptian  varieties). — In  previous  reports  will  be  found  notes 
upon  large  collections  of  cottons,  chiefly  upland,  grown  here.  The  Sec- 
tion of  Seed  and  Plant  Introduction,  now  a  part  of  the  Bureau  of  Plant 
Industrv,  sent  out  in  Januarv,  1901,  four  varieties  of  Egyptian  cotton 
(Nos.  3991,  3993,  4330,  and* 4329)  for  trial  here.  No.  3991  was  the 
noted  Jannovitch,  which  originated  as  a  sport  from  the  Abbasi,  and  was 
brought  to  notice  in  1897.  It  is  said  to  be  the  finest  long-staple  cotton 
ever  produced  in  Egypt.  No.  3993  is  also  a  fine,  silky,  very  long,  white 
staple,  and  the  variety  is  derived  from  the  Mitafifi,  which,  however  is  a 
brown-fibered  variety.  No.  4330  is  the  Abbasi,  a  long-staple  white 
cotton,  which  brings  the  highest  price  of  any  Egyptian  variety. 

The  seed  received  from  Washington  was  old,  and  thick  planting  was 
advised.  The  previous  rainfall  of  October  and  November,  1900,  was 
8.72  inches;  of  January  and  February,  1901,  7.36  inches;  of  March, 
April,  and  May,  1901,  only  one  inch.  May  20th  the  cotton  was  planted 
in  hills  4  feet  apart  each  way.  The  stand  was  very  poor,  only  about 
half  of  the  hills  showing  a  plant.  A  portion  of  the  ground,  where  an 
alfalfa  field  had  been  plowed  up,  gave  an  excellent  stand.  No  irriga- 
tion was  given,  but  the  cotton  plants  grew  well  until  the  frosts  killed 
them  to  the  ground.     They  were  cultivated  three  times. 

This  Egyptian  cotton  bloomed  August  1st,  but  all  the  early  flowers 
fell  and  only  those  which  came  out  about  September  1st  set  bolls.     Only 


SOUTHERN   CALIFORNIA    SUBSTATION —SMALL    CULTURES.  85 

a  few  of  these  ripened,  but  sufficient  seed  was  obtained  for  planting  in 
1902.  A  few  hills  of  Doughty's  Extra  Long,  a  Southern  variety,  were 
planted  for  comparison.  Under  the  same  conditions,  the  Egyptian  far 
outgrew  the  American  cotton.  On  the  driest  land  it  was  18  inches 
high;  on  the  best  land,  fertilized  by  plowing-under  alfalfa,  it  was  4-J 
feet  high.  All  the  Egyptian  varieties  rooted  much  deeper  here  than 
did  the  American  sorts,  and  it  seems  in  this  respect  much  healthier  and 
better  adapted  to  California  conditions.  But  the  season  is  very  short 
for  them,  and  early  planting  is  needful,  although  acclimatization  may 
do  much  in  this  respect.  They  require  close  planting  to  induce  a  more 
upright  growth  and  to  better  protect  them  from  the  winds,  as  they 
seem  to  split  more  easily  than  do  the  common  varieties.  On  the  best 
soil,  the  bolls  were  as  large  as  the  average  cotton  grown  here.  Unlike 
the  Peruvian  cotton,  which  has  never  succeeded  at  any  of  the  sub- 
stations, the  Egyptian  varieties  justify  more  extended  trials  and  com- 
parisons with  more  of  the  approved  Southern  varieties. 

Cucumbers. — No.  4989,  received  under  the  title  of  "cucumber  from 
Japan,"  produced  a  long,  yellow,  sour,  muskmelon-like  fruit.  No.  4990 
was  a  poor  cucumber,  also  from  Japan.  The  soil  at  the  home  tract,  in 
years  of  ordinary  rainfall,  is  well  adapted  to  the  growth  of  cucumbers 
and  melons  of  every  sort. 

Enchylmna  tomentosa. — Seed  of  this  "  drought-enduring  undershrub" 
from  Australia  (No.  4287  of  the  Department)  was  sown  in  the  green- 
house, and  plants  put  in  the  open  ground  of  the  home  tract,  but  all 
died,  although  some  were  watered  every  few  days. 

Field  Peas. — No.  1486,  the  " gray  winter  field  pea"  of  France,  was 
planted  on  the  home  tract  in  1900;  it  suffered  from  drought  and  made 
poor  growth.  The  roots  showed  no  tubercles.  No.  1173,  the  large  Vic- 
torian field  pea,  sowed  November,  1899,  made  a  brilliant  record  as 
regards  growth,  reaching  by  April,  on  the  home  tract,  the  height  of  3^ 
feet.  It  showed  value  as  a  green-manuring  plant  for  early  sowing.  This 
pea  does  not  make  much  seed  here,  hardly  yielding  as  many  peas  as  were 
planted,  but  in  moister  soil  would  doubtless  yield  well. 

Gourds. — No.  4999,  the  well-known  "wax  gourd"  (Benincasa  cerifera)^ 
planted  April  30,  1900,  failed  to  grow  by  reason  of  drought.  Other 
tests  of  this  vine  show  that  it  needs  warmer  nights,  and  thrives  in  few 
places  in  the  district.  No.  5000,  a  Japanese  gourd,  ripened  a  few  small 
fruits,  but  did  poorly.  A  large  collection  of  some  twenty  varieties  and 
species  of  gourds  and  ornamental  cucurbitacese  from  various  sources 
was  grown  here  in  1891-93  and  seeds  locally  distributed.  The  district 
is  very  well  adapted  to  these  vines,  which  require  no  irrigation  except 
in  years  of  short  rainfall. 

Grasses. — Seed  of  Bromus  inermis,  No.  3004  of  the  Inventory,  was 
planted  in  1900  on  the  home  tract  with  Schrader's  brome-grass  (Bromus 
unioloides).  The  former  scarcely  lived  and  was  only  3  inches  high  by 
winter;  the  latter  grew  a  foot  high,  produced  seed  and  made  a  good 
stand.  Planted  on  the  ten-acre  tract  of  moist  land,  B.  inermis  made  no 
showing  at  all  as  compared  with  B.  unioloides. 

Millets. — No.  2795,  sown  on  the  ten-acre  tract  in  May,  1901,  suffered 
from  alkali  and  only  grew  8  inches  high.     This  was  one  of  the  broom- 


OD  UNIVERSITY    OF   CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT   STATION. 

corn  millets  of  the  Carleton  collection  from  Russia.  No.  1387,  a  Turke- 
stan millet  of  the  Hansen  collection,  grew  but  8  inches  high  and  headed 
out.  It  was  on  the  ten-acre  tract  and  suffered  from  alkali.  Millets  of 
every  type  have  been  successfully  grown  on  the  home  tract  in  previous 
years. 

Muskmelons. — Nos.  3161-64,  3173,  and  5774  of  the  Department  were 
sown  in  May,  1899,  on  moist  land  along  the  line  of  the  head  ditch,  but 
as  the  water-flow  ceased,  all  the  vines  died  from  drought,  the  rainfall  of 
that  season  being  very  small.  Nos.  6363  and  6364  were  planted  in  May, 
1901,  on  the  home  tract,  but  most  of  the  vines  and  fruits  were  destroyed 
by  rabbits  and  crows.  The  remaining  fruits  "split  open,  because  of 
heavy  fogs."  A  large  collection  of  muskmelon  seeds  from  Turkestan 
was  received.  Ten  varieties,  under  the  numbers  114,  115,  116,  117, 118, 
119, 120, 121, 122,  and  123,  were  distributed  in  the  spring  of  1899.  None 
of  the  twenty  or  more  kinds  of  these  Asiatic  melons,  as  grown  at  this  sub- 
station, on  sandy  soil,  unirrigated,  proved  of  high  quality  compared  with 
the  best  American  and  European  varieties.  All  were  more  or  less  subject 
to  fungous  diseases  of  the  leaves.  Some  did  not  bear  well.  Those  dis- 
tributed were  the  most  healthy  and  the  best  bearers.  In  1899  the  Persian 
melons  failed  by  reason  of  drought.  In  1900  only  a  few  varieties  were 
planted,  and,  as  before,  the  vines  showed  fungous  diseases.  This  was 
true  of  vines  from  all  the  districts  of  Turkestan,  old  and  new  Bokhara, 
Kiva,  and  Amudaria.  The  Russian  muskmelons  which  proved  so  suc- 
cessful at  some  other  stations  were  not  received  here. 

Myoporum  montanum. — Seeds  of  this,  the  "myrtle  bush"  of  South 
Australia,  a  large,  edible-fruited  shrub  (No.  4300  of  the  Inventory), 
were  sown  in  the  greenhouse  and  transplanted.  The  bushes,  when 
3  feet  high,  were  killed  to  the  ground  by  the  frosts  of  December,  1901, 
but  have  grown  again  from  the  roots. 

Rye. — No.  1342,  the  Winter  Ivanof  of  northern  Russia,  was  planted 
in  1899  on  the  home  tract.  The  season  was  exceedingly  dry  and  the 
grain  had  no  irrigation.  Wheat  No.  1181,  from  Turkestan,  failed  to 
mature,  but  rye  No.  1342  grew  5  feet  high.  The  seed  did  not  germinate 
well,  and  hence  the  stand  was  poor. 

Safflower. — Seeds  of  this  well-known  dye  and  oil  plant  (Carthamus 
tinctorius),  No.  1345  of  the  Inventory,  were  sown  on  both  tracts.  On 
the  dry  land  (home  tract)  it  grew  3  feet  high  and  produced  some  seed; 
on  the  moist  land  the  crop  was  very  large,  the  plants  being  4  feet  high. 
It  produced  seeds  at  the  rate  of  5,500  pounds  per  acre.  The  drought- 
resistance  of  this  plant  appeared  considerably  greater  at  Paso  Robles 
than  at  this  substation.  It  thrives  over  a  large  part  of  California,  and 
is  of  very  easy  culture. 

Sesame. — This  famous  oil  plant  of  the  Orient  has  been  tested  on  a 
number  of  occasions  at  the  substation  and  has  done  poorly.  Seed 
sown  on  the  home  tract  in  the  spring  of  1901  (No.  1386)  grew  only 
2  inches  high. 

Sorghums.—  Nos. 4308,  4309,  4310,  4311,  and  4312  were  grown  in  1900 
on  the  ten-acre  tract.  None  of  them  made  a  larger  amount  of  fodder 
than  the  varieties  previously  planted  here. 


SOUTHERN    CALIFORNIA    SUBSTATION —SMALL   CULTURES.  87 

Soy  Beans. — Nos.  4912,  4913,  and  4914,  imported  from  Japan  by  the 
Department,  were  planted  in  the  ten-acre  tract.  They  matured  in 
succession.  No.  4912  began  to  ripen  seed  August  15th;  No.  4913  by 
September  10th,  and  No.  4914  by  October  1st.  The  soy  beans  have  done 
extremely  well  for  several  seasons,  and  all  available  sorts  have  been 
sown.  The  early  and  medium  early  varieties,  although  not  yielding  as 
heavily  as  the  late  in  some  years,  are  the  safest  for  general  planting 
here. 

Sugar  Beets. — No.  3941,  the  White  Improved  of  Vilmorin,  imported 
by  the  Department  for  cooperative  experiments  under  the  direction  of 
the  Division  of  Chemistry,  was  grown  in  1900,  and  the  beets  shipped  to 
Washington. 

Sweet  Fennel  (Fceniculum  dulce). — In  the  spring  of  1900,  Nos.  4367, 
4368,  4369,  4370,  4484,  and  4485  were  sown  on  the  ten-acre  tract.  These 
were  all  fine  Italian  varieties.  Only  a  few  specimens  of  each  variety 
survived  the  alkali,  but  these  prospered  and  grew  to  a  height  of  4  feet. 
These  varieties  were  again  sown  in  the  spring  of  1901,  but  alkali  pre- 
vented growth.  In  good  soil,  this  plant  thrives  here.  In  1900  it  grew 
well  with  a  rainfall  of  only  9.58  inches. 

Tribulus  hystrix. — This  is  an  annual  herb  from  South  Australia,  con- 
sidered there  a  very  useful  fodder  plant  (No.  4301  of  the  Inventory). 
The  seeds  sown  in  the  spring  of  1901  grew  readily,  but  the  plants  devel- 
oped slowly  and  have  not  made  seed. 

Turnips. — No.  4968,  a  turnip  from  Japan,  was  sown  on  irrigated 
ground,  April  30th.  It  "ran  up  to  seed  almost  immediately."  Turnips 
sown  here  with  the  early  rains  in  October  or  November  are  excellent. 

Vegetable  Marrows. — Several  varieties  of  this  form  of  Cucurbita  pepo, 
so  well  known  in  Europe  and  used  as  "summer  squashes,"  have  been 
grown  for  two  or  three  seasons.  Nos.  4365  and  4366  from  Naples  were 
planted  early  in  May,  1901.  In  1900  these  two  varieties  and  also  the 
former  collection  sent  out  by  the  Department  (Nos.  3132,  3133,  3136, 
3137,  3141,  3145,  3148,  etc.)  had  been  grown.  Seed  of  four  of  the  most 
distinct  have  been  distributed.  These  vegetable  marrows  were  found 
superior  to  the  ordinary  summer  squashes  of  the  seedsmen.  The  Coco- 
zella  of  Geneva  was  one  of  the  best.  Nos.  4365  and  4366,  the  latest 
plantings,  produced  five  to  ten  fruits  per  vine,  size  3  to  4  inches  in 
diameter  and  18  inches  long.  They  were  good  keepers  when  ripe;  piled 
under  a  tree  in  the  field,  they  kept  perfectly  for  a  year.  The  quality  as 
a  winter  squash  was  not  equal  to  Hubbard,  nor  as  a  summer  squash 
were  these  varieties  considered  superior  to  Fordhook. 

Vicias. — None  of  the  vicias  so  successful  elsewhere  have  as  yet  done 
well  at  this  substation.  Vicia  moiiantha,  the  one-flowered  lentil  of 
France,  a  noted  forage  annual,  planted  on  the  sandy  soil  of  the  home 
tract,  grew  only  6  inches  high.  V.  fulgens  (No.  1514),  V.  sativa  (No. 
1507),  and  V.  narbonensis  (No.  1509)  were  no  better.  None  of  them 
made  seed.  On  the  ten-acre  tract,  the  vetches'  suffered  from  alkali. 
They  can  be  expected  to  do  better  in  the  foothills  surrounding  Chino 
Valley. 

Watermelons  and  Stock-melons. — No.  4269,  "Mathis,  from  South  Caro- 
lina," was  planted  on  the  home  tract  early  in   May,  1901.     It  was  an 


88 


UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT    STATION. 


excellent  melon,  but  the  vines  did  not  grow  as  well  as  the  old  Mountain 
Sweet.  The  best  stock-melon  ever  tested  at  the  substation,  and  one 
well  worth  wide  distribution,  is  the  Tsama  or  Khama  melon  (see  Plate 
11),  a  native  of  the  Kalahari  desert  in  South  Africa.  This  seed  was  sent 
out  several  years  ago  by  the  Division  of  Botany  at  Washington.  It  did 
but  poorly  at  first,  but  now,  after  three  years  of  further  trial,  it  is  evident 
that  it  yields  about  twice  as  much  to  the  acre  as  does  the  Kansas  stock- 


PLATE  10.    Kansas  Stock-Melon. 


vv*.       -w'A**)**** 


^f^ik-  k*J> 


r**3miL-    -M*kW^ 


PLATE  11.    Tsama  or  Khama  Melon. 

melon,  and  stands  drought  better.  The  illustrations  show  comparative 
yields  of  two  hills  grown  under  similar  conditions,  on  poor,  sandy, 
unirrigated  soil.  The  rainfall  was  17  inches;  but  the  melon  has  done 
quite  as  well  with  only  9  inches,  and  seems  as  drought-enduring  as 
the  wild  gourds  and  cacti  which  thrive  with  an  annual  rainfall  of  only 
4  or  5  inches.  The  melons  are  small,  round,  covered  with  small  prickles, 
and  are  not  attractive,  but  stock  eat  them  readily,  especially  when  some- 
what wilted.  They  keep  extremely  well.  Seed  of  this  stock-melon  has 
been  widely  distributed  by  the  University  for  two  seasons  past,  and  the 
seedsmen  are  beginning  to  grow  and  advertise  it. 


SANTA    MONICA    FORESTRY    SUBSTATION — HISTORY.  89 


SANTA  MONICA  FORESTRY  SUBSTATION. 

(Near  the  mouth  of  Santa  Monica  Canon,  two  miles  west  of  Santa  Monica.) 


This  forestry  substation  was  established  in  the  winter  of  1887-8  by 
the  State  Board  of  Forestry,  and  was  transferred  by  the  State  to  the 
University  of  California,  July  1,  1893.  The  forestry  plantation  of  29 
acres  near  Chico  came  under  the  control  of  the  University  in  the  same 
way.  The  State  Board  of  Forestry  was  abolished  by  the  same  Act 
which  made  the  transfer. 

For  the  first  two  years  the  sum  of  $2,000  per  annum  was  granted  by 
the  State  for  forestry  purposes,  and  this  was  raised  to  $2,500  per 
annum  in  1895-6,  but  all  direct  State  aid  ceased  at  the  close  of  1896-7, 
since  which  time  the  University  has  made  small  annual  appropriations, 
at  no  time  equal  to  those  formerly  made  by  the  State.  The  progress  of 
the  substation  has  therefore  been  slow,  as  lack  of  means  prevents  many 
needed  improvements.  The  policy  has  been  to  spend  the  larger  share 
of  the  appropriation  at  Santa  Monica,  and  to  keep  a  foreman  there. 

While  the  Santa  Monica  substation  is  in  some  respects  the  most 
attractive  of  all  the  substations,  as  it  possesses  a  practically  frostless 
climate,  it  is  better  suited  for  a  botanical  garden  than  for  pure  forestry, 
for  which,  indeed,  the  area  is  too  limited.  It  affords  an  excellent  loca- 
tion for  tests,  on  a  small  scale,  of  acacias,  eucalypts,  pines,  and  a  few 
other  classes  of  trees,  and  now  that  the  water-supply  is  ample,  its  unique 
value,  possessed  by  few  places  in  the  United  States,  lies  in  the  direction 
of  a  botanic  garden,  in  which  a  great  variety  of  plants  from  all  parts  of 
the  world  could  be  grown. 

Changes  and  Improvements. — The  substation  has  had  four  foremen 
since  1893— Mr.  W.  J.  Strachan,  Mr.  John  H.  Barber,  Mr.  Charles  A. 
Colmore,  and  Mr.  William  Shutt.  The  latter  took  charge  on  September 
1, 1900.  Mr.  Roy  Jones,  son  of  Senator  J.  P.  Jones  of  Nevada,  continues 
to  serve  as  Patron. 

The  most  important  improvement  since  the  issuance  of  the  report  of 
1897-8  consists  of  an  unexpected  development  of  the  water-supply,  made 
by  Mr.  Shutt,  as  foreman,  in  the  winter  of  1900-1901.  The  daily  flow 
from  the  new  springs,  cut  by  drifting  farther  into  the  bank,  is  about 
16,000  gallons,  and  this  enables  more  land  to  be  irrigated  on  the  lower 
flat.  The  hydraulic  ram  is  again  used  to  lift  water  to  the  house,  and 
the  windmill  is  no  longer  needed,  except  when  repairs  are  being  made 
to  the  other  systems. 

Some  desirable  changes  in  the  roads  and  grades  have  been  lately 
made,  and  about  three  acres  of  brush-covered  land  has  been  cleared.  A 
good  deal  of  this  has  been  planted  with  acacias  and  eucalypts.  This  is 
excellent  soil,  although  so  steep  as  to  be  unfit  for  anything  but  trees. 


90 


UNIVERSITY    OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT    STATION. 


CLIMATE. 

The  climate  of  Santa  Monica  and  its  vicinity  is  justly  famous  for  its 
evenness,  and  a  very  great  variety  of  native  and  exotic  plant  life  is 
found  here,  as  at  Ventura  and  Santa  Barbara.  Thorough  cultivation  is 
absolutely  necessary,  however,  with  the  light  rainfall,  and  irrigation  is 
practiced  wherever  possible.  The  forest  trees  grown  at  the  substation, 
however,  have  received  no  irrigation  excepting  as  noted  in  the  following 
pages.  Small  trees,  when  first  set  out  from  the  nursery,  often  require  a 
little  water.  As  a  rule,  this  "irrigation"  consists  of  a  quart  or  two  of 
water  given  to  each  tree  from  a  barrel  on  a  sled.  A  hole  is  made  beside 
the  tree  and  the  water  poured  slowly  in.  When  it  settles,  the  hole  is 
filled  up  with  dry  earth.  One  such  watering  in  April  has  enabled 
eucalypts  and  acacias  to  take  root  and  grow  well  thereafter;  without  it, 
losses  would  probably  amount  to  half  the  stock. 

Rainfall. — Since  the  University  took  charge  of  the  place,  the  annual 
rainfall  has  been  as  follows: 

Year.  Rainfall.  Comment. 

1893-4 7.83  in.  An  extremely  trying  year. 

1894-5 14.01"  Fairly  good  crops. 

1895-6. 8.40"  North  winds;  crop  poor. 

1896-7 16.13"  An  excellent  year. 

1897-8 _ _ 5.24  "  Crops  failed;  some  large  trees  died. 

1898-9 7.11  "  Crops  scanty;  some  trees  died. 

1899-1900.. ..- 8.48  "  Crops  scanty;  some  trees  died. 

1900-1901 11.54  "  Fairly  good  crops. 

1901-1902 11.65"  Goodcrops. 

The  average  rainfall  for  the  above  nine  years  has  therefore  been  a 
trifle  over  10  inches.  It  would  seem  to  persons  unacquainted  with 
California  conditions  as  if  this  low  rainfall  would  make  tree-growth 
impossible,  but  the  statistics  elsewThere  given  show  plainly  that  such  is 
not  the  case.  In  fact,  one  especial  value  of  this  substation  is  its  trial, 
for  a  long  term  of  years,  of  a  great  number  of  species  of  trees  under  an 
average  rainfall  of  10  inches. 

The  monthly  rainfall  varies  greatly  from  season  to  season,  as  shown 
by  the  following  table  of  the  precipitation  during  the  past  four  seasons: 

Month.  1898-99.  1899-1900.  1900-01.  1901-02. 

October 0.34  1.11  0.25  2.41 

November none  1.25  5.66  none 

December .10  1.59  none  none 

January 4.56  2.45  none  1.75 

February .01  none  4.35  3.90 

March 1.69  .55  .20  3.27 

April .05  .17  .50  none 

May none  .36  .58  none 

June .36  none  none  none 


In  practice,  a  rainfall  of  less  than  half  an  inch  in  any  given  month 
is  of  little  value.  The  desirable  thing  is  to  have  "  enough  rain  to  start 
plows"  in  November  or  December;  then  to  have  heavier  rains  in  Janu- 
ary or  February,  followed  by  spring  showers.  The  favorable  distribu- 
tion of  the  rainfall  doubles  its  usefulness.  This  year  (1902,  May  1st) 
some  barley  on  the  upper  mesa  stands  3^  feet  high  and  cuts  4  tons 
of  hay  to  the  acre.  Young  eucalyptus  trees,  also  on  the  upper  mesa, 
have  made  from  3  to  6  feet  of  growth  this  season.     The  above  table, 


SANTA    MONICA    FORESTRY    SUBSTATION — CLIMATE. 


91 


however,  shows  that  trees  and  hay  received  2.71  inches  of  rain  before 
January,  and  after  January  nearly  9  inches,  all  well  distributed.  The 
crops  are  better  than  in  1894-5,  with  14  inches  badly  distributed 
through  the  winter. 

Temperature. — Only  once  during  the  nine  years  has  the  frost  injured 
heliotropes,  nasturtiums,  cannas,  and  other  tender  garden  plants  in 
this  district,  but  not  then  on  the  middle  mesa  of  the  substation,  where 
no  serious  injury  has  ever  been  done  to  even  the  most  tender  eucalypts. 
The  lowest  flat,  by  the  creek,  has  proved  too  cold  and  shady  for  Ficus 
elastica  and  many  other  plants.  On  the  middle  mesa,  where  the  most 
valuable  plantations  exist,  the  immunity  from  frost  is  exceptional. 
Here  are  growing  Hibiscuses,  Bauhinias,  the  Jacaranda  mimossefolia, 
Tacsonia  manicata,  Eucalyptus  ficifolia,  and  many  other  tender  plants. 
The  following  table,  continuing  the  record  in  the  annual  report  for 
1897-8,  gives  the  temperature  at  the  substation  from  June  30,  1898,  to 
April  1,  1902: 

Monthly  Summary  of  Temperature. 

Max. 

1898— July 79° 

August 84 

September 98 

October 79 

November 82 

December  __ _.  88 

1899— January., 77 

February 77 

March 89 

April 89 

May. 77 

June 82 

July.. 83 

August 86 

September 80 

October 99 

November 83 

December 77 

1900— January 78 

February 86 

March 83 

April 77 

May     73 

June 76 

July 95 

August 96 

September 96 

October 86 

November 92 

December 86 

1901— January 71 

February 87 

March 87 

April 71 

May _ 66 

June  ... 80 

July.. 81 

August 84 

September 82 

October 92 

November .  82 

December 80 

1902— January 82 

February 69 

March 73 


Hhi. 

Mean  Max. 

Mean  Min. 

Mean  Temp. 

52° 

74° 

57° 

65° 

54 

78 

58 

68 

50 

76 

56 

66 

42 

71 

49 

60 

42 

69 

47 

58 

41 

68 

47 

57 

38 

66 

45 

55 

33 

59 

41 

50 

37 

64 

48 

56 

42 

66 

47 

54 

43 

66 

49 

57 

48 

68 

55 

61 

49 

73 

55 

64 

51 

73 

55 

64 

51 

73 

56 

64 

42 

71 

51 

61 

42 

69 

51 

60 

41 

66 

46 

56 

42 

67 

45 

56 

42 

69 

46 

57 

40 

66 

49 

57 

39 

65 

46 

55 

44 

66 

47 

56 

50 

62 

70 

55 

51 

65 

75 

58 

52 

68 

77 

60 

48 

63 

70 

56 

46 

68 

50 

63 

47 

73 

54 

64 

39 

64 

47 

57 

37 

60 

43 

52  ' 

33 

64 

48 

56 

39 

68 

48 

58 

38 

62 

47 

54 

43 

64 

50 

57 

44 

66 

55 

59 

50 

71 

55 

63 

48 

73 

56 

65 

44 

69 

51 

60 

62 

65 

52 

60 

43 

66 

47 

57 

33 

66 

43 

55 

33 

62 

42 

52 

35 

59 

42 

50 

35 

63 

42 

53 

In  January,  1898,  the  thermometer  fell  to  31°,  but  33°  is  the  next 
lowest  winter  minimum,  and  the  average  minimum  of  nine  years  was 


92  UNIVERSITY    OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT    STATION. 

35°.  The  maximum  has  in  nine  years  but  once  reached  100°,  but  every 
year  has  gone  to  90°  or  above  for  a  few  days.  The  maximum  of  1898 
was  98°,  and  the  next  highest  temperatures  of  that  year  were  93°  and 
89°;  in  1899  the  two  highest  temperatures  were  99°  and  89c;  in  1900 
they  were  95°  and  92°,  and  in  1901  they  were  92°  and  87°. 


THE  EUCALYPTUS  GROVES. 

The  plantations  of  eucalyptus  trees  at  this  substation  have  deservedly 
attracted  much  attention  for  some  years  past.  They  have  been  visited 
by  many  persons  and  reported  upon  in  many  forms.  Mr.  Abbot  Kin- 
ney's work  on  Eucalypts  contains  photographs  of  single  trees  here, 
together  with  notes  upon  their  growth,  etc.  Professor  McClatchie  has 
also  taken  many  notes  and  photographs  here.  Former  station  reports 
contain  much  historical  and  descriptive  material  on  these  eucalypts. 
(See  Report  of  1892-4,  pp.  428-432;  Report  of  1894-5,  pp.  450-455; 
Report  of  1895-7,  pp.  412-426;  and  Report  of  1897-8,  pp.  340-351.) 

A  few  of  the  large  trees  in  the  main  group  have  died  or  have  been 
blown  down.  These  losses  seem  to  have  been  due  in  every  case  to  poor 
root  systems,  pot-bound  or  too  large  trees  having  been  originally  used. 
The  younger  plantations  show  no  such  defects.  Others  of  the  older  trees 
will  soon  have  to  be  removed,  but  specimens  of  all  the  species  repre- 
sented in  this  grove  are  now  established  elsewhere. 

The  following  table  shows  some  of  the  measurements  taken  in  this, 
the  oldest  grove  of  eucalypts  in  June,  1902: 

Height.  Girth. 

E.  amygdalina 23  ft.  21  in. 

E.  calophylla _ 38  "  47  " 

E.  citriodora     ___. 61"  35" 

E.corymbosa 36"  32" 

E.  corynocalyx 61"  47" 

E.  diversicolor 68"  42" 

E.  viminalis 53  "  44  " 

E.callosa     .__ _ _ 32"  15" 

E.  sideroxylon 53"  52" 


Eucalypts  on  the  Upper  Mesa. — The  original  planting  of  eucalypts,  done 
on  the  upper  mesa  nearly  one  hundred  feet  above  the  middle  flat,  was 
in  the  form  of  a  narrow  strip,  chiefly  on  the  western  side,  with  a  few 
rows  across  the  south  and  north.  This  mesa  is  a  long  and  very  narrow 
tongue  of  land  nearly  level  on  the  top,  sloping  south  toward  the  ocean. 
On  the  east  it  descends  almost  perpendicularly  to  the  canon  bottom;  on 
the  west  the  descent,  less  abrupt,  is  to  the  cottage  mesa,  or  middle  bench 
of  the  substation.  The  light,  gravelly  soil,  and  the  height  and  exposure 
of  this  plateau,  make  the  growth  of  trees  difficult.  Success  here  argues 
similar  success  on  plateaus  even  farther  inland. 

The  eucalypts  planted  here  in  1889,  thinned  out  in  1893  and  1894,  and 
since  then  uncultivated,  have  made  in  many  cases  noble  trees,  with 
trunks  that  girth  from  25  to  40  inches.  Their  growth  has  been  lessened 
in  recent  years  by  light  rainfall,  as  most  of  them  stand  within  sixty 
feet  of  the  edge  of  the  mesa.  In  point  of  drought-resistance  E.  coryno- 
calyx, E.  rostrata,  E.  paniculata,  and  E.  globulus  are  among  the  best. 

The  younger  grove  on  the  upper  mesa  was  begun  in  the  spring  of  1897, 
when  about  eight  hundred  trees  were  set  out,  representing  thirty-one 
species.     Other  trees  have  been  added  since.     The  soil  is  light  and  poor, 


SANTA    MONICA    FORESTRY    SUBSTATION EUCALYPTUS    GROVES. 


93 


94  UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT    STATION. 

especially  toward  the  eastern  end,  and  the  older  trees  near  by  have 
lessened  the  growth  of  the  outer  row  of  the  new  plantation.  Neverthe- 
less, the  results  of  the  experiment  have  been  instructive,  and  on  the 
whole  favorable. 

The  well-known  blue  gum,  E.  globulus,  made  much  the  strongest 
growth  in  this  plantation,  and  most  of  the  trees  had  to  be  cut  out  so  as 
to  give  the  more  valuable  species  a  chance. 

The  following  table  shows  the  comparative  growth  of  the  more  prom- 
ising species  in  this  new  plantation.  All  the  trees  were  small,  or  from 
10  to  15  inches  high,  when  planted  out  in  January,  1897.  All  were 
measured  in  May,  1902,  when  the  age  from  seed  was  less  than  six  years. 
This  May  measurement  includes  of  course  only  a  part  of  the  1902  growth. 
The  trees  selected  are  an  average  of  the  western  half  of  the  grove,  which 
much  better  represents  the  entire  mesa  than  the  more  gravelly  eastern 
end. 

Eucalypts  in  May,  1902. 

Height.  Girth. 

E.  globulus 32     ft.  23in. 

E.acervula 30      "  22" 

E.  muelleriana 28      "  20" 

E.rostrata _.         27      "  20" 

E.  angulosa ._ 25      "  18" 

E.andreana 25      "  17" 

E.  tereticornis _ 23      "  19" 

E.  goniocalyx  ... _.         23      "  17" 

E.  populifolia 22      "  15" 

E.  cosmophylla 21      "  16" 

E.  Foeld-Bay 21      "  14" 

E.  stuartiana 20      "  16" 

E.cinerea - - ~ ~         20      "  15" 

E.  acmenoides..- _.     _..  20      "  10" 

E.  paniculata - 18>£  "  13" 

E.resinifera 18^  "  13  " 

E.  microcorvs 1S%  u  12  " 

E.dicipiens" 16      "  12" 

E.  polyanthema - --..         16      "  10" 

E.botryoides 14      "  11" 

E.jugalis. 13      "  10" 

E.  sideroxylon .  9      "  9" 

This  table  is  very  suggestive.  In  1898,  E.  goniocalyx  had  made  a 
better  showing  than  the  blue  gums,  but  it  now  ranks  eighth.  Every 
species  in  this  list  which  stands  over  15  feet  high  at  present  (nineteen 
species  in  all)  is  well  worth  further  trial  and  planting  on  a  larger  scale, 
for  the  average  annual  rainfall  since  these  trees  were  set  has  been  but 
8.8  inches,  and  for  the  first  three  years  it  was  less  than  7  inches.  The 
only  water  ever  received  by  any  of  these  trees  was  about  a  quart  each 
when  planted,  that  being  a  very  dry  year.  In  ordinary  seasons,  that  is, 
in  seasons  of  ten  or  more  inches  of  rainfall,  even  this  slight  irrigation 
would  not  have  been  needed. 

The  growth  of  E.  acervula,  E.  muelleriana,  E.  rostrata,  and  a  few 
others,  as  shown  by  the  table,  is  especially  striking.  All  the  species 
listed  in  this  table  have  made  well-shaped  trees.  E.  cornuta,  E.  mega- 
carpa,  E.  alpina,  and  a  few  others  of  shrubby  growth  have  only  a  botanic 
value  here,  but  among  those  which  have  made  strong  growth  are  some 
extremely  valuable  timber  trees,  such  as  E.  rostrata  and  E.  muelleriana. 

Enlargement  of  Collection. — When  the  University  took  charge  of  the 
substation  in  1893,  there  were  forty-four  species  of  eucalypts  growing 
here,  as  nearly  as  could  be  determined  by  the  Botany  Department. 


SANTA   MONICA   FORESTRY    SUBSTATION — EUCALYPTUS    GROVES. 


95 


Many  of  these  were  represented  by  only  one  or  two  specimens.  At  the 
present  time  there  are  something  more  than  a  hundred  species  here, 
many  of  them  represented  by  fifty  or  more  specimens  of  different  ages 
and  on  different  soils.     All  of  these  new  species  have  been  grown  from 


PLATE  13.    E.  Sideroxylon  (var.  Rosea). 

seed  obtained  from  various  botanical  gardens,  from  Vilmorin  &  Co., 
Paris,  or  from  the  Department  of  Agriculture  at  Washington. 

Among  the  newer  sorts  are  a  number  of  hybrids,  which  prove  most 
interesting  in  their  rapid  growth  and  their  promise  of  future  value  to 


96  UNIVERSITY   OF   CALIFORNIA— EXPERIMENT    STATION. 

California.  It  is  evident  that  crosses  of  the  best  eucalypts  are  likely  to 
produce  valuable  results,  giving  possibly  (a)  finer  and  more  free  blos- 
soming, and  hence  greater  value  for  ornament  and  as  honey-yielders; 
(6)  better  growth,  more  hardiness,  or  other  economic  advantages. 

Among  all  the  newer  species,  however,  none  are  more  striking  in 
appearance  than  E.  ficifolia,  by  far  the  most  brilliant,  medium-sized  tree 
of  the  family.  In  some  respects  even  more  graceful  and  ornamental  is 
the  famous  E.  sideroxylon  vari  rosea,  a  superb,  quite  hardy,  drought- resist- 
ing species  of  much  larger  growth  than  E.  ficifolia.  Its  dark,  red-brown 
bark,  bluish  foliage,  and  elegant,  half-weeping  branches,  give  it  a  dis- 
tinguished appearance  in  any  collection,  and  the  largest  specimen  at  the 
substation,  a  plate  of  which,  made  in  1896,  is  herewith  shown,  has 
increased  in  size  steadily  since  that  date.  Younger  trees  make  good 
growth  and  bloom  early.  There  is  no  more  promising  species  for  general 
ornamental  planting  in  southern  California.  E.  calophylla,  which  has 
been  widely  planted,  is  a  very  showy  species,  but  if  E.  sideroxylon  var. 
rosea  were  more  generally  known  it  would  probably  take  the  lead. 

The  following  periods  of  the  eucalypts  range  over  the  entire  year,  and 
those  who  plant  collections  of  these  valuable  trees  never  need  be  without 
blossoms.  The  following  notes  apply  not  only  to  Santa  Monica,  but 
also  to  the  whole  seacoast  region  south  of  Santa  Barbara: 

Months.  Species  Usually  Blooming. 

January  and  February Amygdalina,   globulus,  leucoxylon,   occidentalis,   polyan- 

thema,  robusta. 
March  and  April ..Amygdalina,    diversicolor,    eugenoides,    leucoxylon    var. 

rosea,  marginata,  meliodora,  obliqua. 
May  and  June... ..Citriodora,  corynocalyx,  diversicolor,  eugenoides,    gunni, 

obliqua,  paniculata,  rostrata,  stuartiana. 
July  and  August  .. ..Buprestium,  calophylla,    ficifolia,  corynocalyx,  "SeweH's 

Red,"  macrorhyhchus,  etc. 
September  and  October  .  ...Alpina,    calophylla,    ficifolia,    corymbosa,    cornuta,     leh- 

manni,  etc. 
November  and  December Alpina,    corymbosa,    diversicolor,    globulus,    occidentalis, 

robusta,  polyanthema,  saligna,  etc. 

The  New  Grove  of  1901. — There  were  some  three  hundred  trees  planted 
in  January,  1901,  at  the  northern  end  of  the  middle  mesa.  Their  growth 
has  been  excellent,  as  shown  by  the  following  table.  In  a  few  cases 
measurements  were  again  taken  in  May,  1902,  to  show  the  excellent 
spring  growth,  and  these  notes  follow  the  table.  These  trees  have  received 
no  irrigation  since  planting.  Those  from  Department  of  Agriculture 
seed  are  indicated  by  the  numbers  in  the  second  column  of  figures: 

Name.  U.  C.  No. 

E.  incrassata 121 

E.  rudis  X  rostrata 128 

E.  botryoides  X  rostrata 130 

E.  rostrata  X  resinifera 127 

E.  maculata 119 

E.  sp — 115 

E.  stellulata.— ----  120 

E.  longiflorus 105 

E.  pilularis . 

E.  macrocarpa .. 118 

E.  raveretiana 125 

E.  obtusiflora 122 

E.sp.  .- • H4 

E.  paucifl ora .  _. 108 

E.  macrandra 117 

E.sp. 11« 

E.  eximia 160 


Size  in 

Jan.,  1902. 

Size  When 

vt.  No. 

Planted. 

Height. 

Girth. 

1652 

15  in. 

10   ft. 

7   in, 

1672 

16  " 

8   " 

8 

1678 

15  " 

5   " 

5 

1670 

18  " 

8   " 

8 

1646 

10  " 

8   " 

7 

1635 

16  " 

6   " 

5 

1651 

8  " 

6   " 

7 

1609 

10  " 

4   " 

10^  » 

1657 

8  " 

5   " 

7 

1644 

12  " 

6   " 

5 

1663 

10  " 

7   " 

8 

1654 

10  " 

5   " 

5 

1633 

12  " 

6   " 

5 

1617 

8  " 

2   " 

ilA   " 

1643 

8  " 

1   " 

%    u 

1639 

8  " 

6   " 

3 

1625 

8  " 

6   " 

3M  " 

Size  in 

Jan.,  1902. 

Size  When 
Planted. 

vt.  No. 

Height. 

Girth. 

12  in. 

9 

ft. 

8      in. 



8    " 

3 

" 

2K    " 

1675 

8    " 

8 

11 

5 

8    " 

3 

(< 

4 

... 

12    " 

iok 

" 

8        " 

1668 

18    " 

7 

u 

6 

1620 

15    " 

9 

(( 

7 



12    " 

11 

(( 

"V*  •■ 

1676 

16    " 

12H 

" 

8 

8    " 

8 

l( 

5 

15    " 

13 

u 

9 



15    «' 

BH 

tt 

7 



18    " 

10 

(( 

6 

18    " 

7 

(( 

5 

12    " 

8 

(( 

5 



6    " 

12 

" 

%    " 



6    " 

2 

If 

3 

SANTA    MONICA    FORESTRY    SUBSTATION — EUCALYPTUS   GROVES.  '  97 


Name.  U.  C.  No. 

E.  punctata  var. 164 

E.  salmonophloia 168 

E.  sieberiana 170 

E.  stricta.._ 171 

E.  McArthurii 161 

E.  robusta 

E.  corynocalyx 

E.rubida 167 

E.  stuartiana 36 

E.  pulverulenta 163 

E.  globulus 

E.  rostrata 20 

E.  resinifera  var.grandiflora._  27 

E.  sideroxylon 9 

E.  tereticornis 29 

E.  redunca... 165 

E.  obcordata 162 

Notes  on  Eucalypts  from  the  Department  of  Agriculture. — No.  1652, 
E.  incrassata,  the  "Mallee"  gum,  increased  2  feet  in  height  between 
January  and  May,  1902.  This  species  stands  up  fairly  well  against  the 
wind,  but  some  specimens  are  crooked  and  poor. 

*  No.  1672,  E.  rudis  X  E.  rostrata,  is  more  stocky  than  the  preceding 
and  promises  good  results.  The  permanent  leaves  show  considerable 
variation  in  different  plants,  as  if  the  type  were  not  yet  fixed. 

No.  1678,  E.  botryoides  X  E.  rostrata,  known  in  France  as  E.  Trabuti, 
is  a  very  interesting  tree.  While  slower  in  growth  than  many  species, 
it  is  now  gaining  (growth  from  January  to  May,  1902,  was  3  feet). 
The  trees  are  remarkably  uniform  in  appearance  and  incline  to  spread. 

No.  1670,  E.  rostrata  X  E.  resinifera,  has  also  shown  rapid  spring 
growth,  average  plants  girthing  1  inch  more  in  May  than  in  January 
and  standing  2  feet  higher.  The  rostrata  blood  shows  very  plainly  in 
this  cross.     It  is  worthy  of  extended  trials. 

No.  1646,  E.  maculata,  the  "Morrel  Gum";  No.  1617,  E.  pauciflora, 
the  "White  Gum";  No.  1616,  E.  globulus,  the  well-known  "  Blue  Gum"; 
No.  1622,  E.  crebra,  the  "White  Ironbark,"  and  some  others  are 
already  represented  by  large  trees,  as  well  as  in  the  new  planta- 
tions. The  best  young  specimen  of  E.  globulus  measured  May  1st  was 
17  feet  high  and  girthed  12  inches. 

No.  1635,  received  as  "a  species,"  is  otherwise  noted  in  the  Inventory 
as  E.  gracilipes,  which  is  said  to  resemble  E.  leucoxylon.  It  is  a  slow 
grower  here,  and  does  not  as  yet  seem  superior  to  leucoxylon. 

No.  1633,  also  unnamed  when  received,  is  E.  gomphocornuta.  Its 
growth  is  practically  identical  with  that  of  No.  1643  (E.  macrantha), 
which  is  extremely  poor.  It  evidently  requires  more  rainfall  and  a 
heavier  soil. 

No.  1639,  which  came  unnamed,  bat  was  inventoried  as  E.  jugalis, 
a  "small  tree  25  to  30  feet  high,"  is  a  very  beautiful  species,  much 
resembling  in  tint,  odor,  and  appearance  a  half-dwarf  E.  globulus. 
The  plant  is  more  graceful,  and  the  first  leaves  somewhat  more  pointed. 
Its  growth  averages  6  feet,  as  against  15  feet  for  E.  globulus.  This 
species  should  have  value  for  ornamental  planting. 

No.  1609,  E.  largiflorens,  the  "bastard  box,"  a  valuable  timber  tree, 
grows  very  slowly  compared  with  other  species.     E.  pilularis,  the  Black- 
butt  (No.  1657),  does  somewhat  better,  and  E.  stellulata,  the  "Green 
Gum"  (No.  1651),  exceeds  by  a  trifle  such  species  as  E.  macrocarpa  and 
7 


98  UNIVERSITY    OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT   STATION. 

E.  eximia  of  the  same  age  and  under  similar  conditions.  E.  raveretiana, 
the  "Gray  Gum"  (No.  1663),  is  considerably  better  in  point  of  growth 
than  any  of  these. 

One  of  the  most  striking  of  the  new  eucalypts  is  E.  stuartiana  (No. 
1676),  also  received  from  other  sources.  Trees  of  this,  on  May  1st,  were 
14  feet  high  and  girthed  11  inches.  E.  corynocalyx,  the  noted  "Sugar 
Gum"  (No.  1620),  grew  3  feet  between  January  and  May,  and  is  also 
one  of  the  best  in  appearance  among  the  species  in  this  plantation. 

Other  New  Eucalypts. — Several  species  or  sub-species,  not  heretofore 
named,  have  done  very  well.  One  of  the  very  best  of  these  is  E.  punc- 
tata var.  grandiflora,  of  excellent  upright  and  rapid  growth.  E.  resinifera 
var.  grandiflora  is  another  of  striking  appearance.  Both  the  above  have 
made  trees  12  feet  high  in  fifteen  months  after  planting  out,  and  both, 
like  E.  rostrata  and  E.  corynocalyx,  are  worth  the  serious  consideration 
of  planters.  E.  rubida  has  done  nearly  as  well,  and  is  also  a  desirable 
species.  E.  McArthurii  yields  badly  to  the  sea  winds.  E.  stricta  has 
grown  slowly  and  very  poorly.  E.  obcordata,  while  very  slow  in  growth, 
is  a  handsome  shrub. 

Distributions  of  Seed  and  Trees. — Eucalyptus  seeds  gathered  at  this 
substation  were  to  some  extent  distributed  locally.  Trees  of  new  and 
rare  species  to  the  number  of  4,000  were  distributed  to  such  applicants 
as  agree  to  make  future  reports.  Among  those  receiving  trees  were  the 
American  Beet  Sugar  Company  at  Oxnard,  the  Hollywood  Cemetery 
Association,  the  Imperial  Land  Company,  Senator  Thomas  R.  Bard, 
Mr.  T.  P.  Lukens,  Mr.  Theodore  Payne,  and  Mr.  W.  L.  Clayberg.  These 
trees  were  sent  to  widely  scattered  points,  from  Indio  and  Imperial  to 
Santa  Barbara  and  Antelope  Valley.  Many  small  lots  of  a  dozen 
named  trees  were  sent  out.  The  number  of  species  distributed  was 
twenty-five,  including  E.  ficifolia  and  other  ornamental  sorts,  E.  corym- 
bosa,  E.  polyanthema,  and  other  honey  eucalypts,  and  E.  corynocalyx,  E. 
rostrata,  and  other  timber  and  drought-resisting  species. 

Hillside  Planting. — In  1901  and  1902  a  number  of  eucalypts  were 
planted  on  the  newly-cleared  hillslopes.  In  places  these  wrere  too  steep 
to  plow  and  the  trees  were  "pocketed  in."  The  results  have  been  very 
satisfactory,  not  one  out  of  four  hundred  trees  having  been  lost.  Most 
of  the  species  represented  in  the  new  plantation  on  the  middle  mesa 
were  used  here  also,  together  with  a  few  represented  only  on  the  upper 
mesa.  In  all,  nearly  thirty  species  were  set  on  this  slope.  On  similar 
slopes,  pines  (P.  insignis  and  P.  austriaca)  and  six  species  of  acacias 
were  planted  at  the  same  time  and  have  made  a  good  start.  Each  of 
these  trees  received  a  quart  of  water  when  planted  out. 


ACACIAS. 

In  previous  reports  attention  has  been  called  to  the  value  of  the 
tanbark  acacias  for  otherwise  waste  lands  wherever  the  winter  tempera- 
ture does  not  fall  below  22°  Fahr.  A  full  account  of  the  yield  of  eight- 
year-old  trees  of  Acacia  decurrens,  A.  mollissima,  and  A.  pycnantha, 
together  with  analyses,  appears  on  pages  227-230  of  the  Report  for 
1897-8.  The  remaining  portion  of  the  acacia  grove  therein  reported 
upon  suffered  much  from  drought  in  1898-1900,  but  the  past  two  winters 


SANTA    MONICA    FORESTRY    SUBSTATION — ACACIAS. 


99 


100  UNIVERSITY    OF   CALIFORNIA— EXPERIMENT    STATION. 

have  greatly  aided  it.     Young  trees  planted  out  in  the  winter  of  1901 
and  the  present  season  have  also  done  very  well  indeed. 

Drought-Resistance. — All  observations  at  the  substation  confirm  the 
view  that  on  the  light,  gravelly  wash  of  the  mesa,  the  large  tan  bark 
acacias  stand  the  drought  somewhat  better  than  do  the  eucalypts.  Seed- 
ling trees  also  frequently  spring  up  in  the  grove.  With  good  cultivation, 
a  grove  of  A.  decurrens  or  A.  mollissima  can  be  established  in  such  soil 
without  any  irrigation  and  with  an  annual  rainfall  of  only  10  inches. 

The  largest  specimen  of  A.  decurrens,  now  twelve  years  old,  girths 
8  feet  9  inches,  measured  breast-high;  this  surpasses  both  A.  mollissima 
(largest  tree,  2  feet  10  inches)  and  A.  dealbata  (largest  tree,  2  feet  4 
inches).  A.  cyanophylla,  a  low,  shrub-like,  much-branched  tree,  quite 
unlike  the  two  preceding  species,  which  rise  to  40  and  50  feet,  has  in 
the  case  of  the  largest  specimen  a  trunk  girthing  3  feet  1  inch.  All  these 
stand  on  soil  similar  to  that  of  the  older  eucalypts  and  have  suffered 
less  in  times  of  drought. 

Acacia  melanoxylon,  whose  beautiful  rosewood-like  timber  only  needs 
to  be  better  known  to  be  demanded  among  cabinet-makers,  has  now, 
in  1902,  fully  recovered  from  its  severe  suffering  in  the  years  of 
drought,  when  one  half  of  the  large  trees  of  this  species  ceased  growth 
and  some  died.  This  recovery  when  the  annual  rainfall  rose  from 
about  6  inches  to  nearly  12  inches  is  interesting,  but  the  profitable 
growth  of  this  riverine  species  for  timber  is  evidently  limited  to  regions 
of  more  rainfall  and  better  soil.  Nevertheless,  the  largest  standing  tree 
of  A.  melanoxylon,  aged  twelve  years,  girths  3  feet  8  inches. 

The  rapidity  of  growth  of  A.  melanoxylon  is  hardly  surpassed  by  any 
other  species,  and  it  reproduces  itself  freely  from  root-cuttings  or  suck- 
ers as  well  as  from  seeds.  One  large  tree  removed  in  1899,  because  it 
died  in  the  ground,  threw  up  a  multitude  of  suckers  scattered  over  a 
large  area.  Nine  of  these  have  been  left  at  spaces  of  from  10  to  20  feet 
apart;  they  average  a  height  of  18  feet  and  a  girth  of  15  inches. 
Fed,  of  course,  by  the  old  roots,  this  growth  far  surpasses  that  from 
seeds.  In  suitable  locations,  however,  a  wood-lot  of  A.  melanoxylon 
could  be  trusted  to  reproduce  itself  from  the  roots.  The  fuel  value  of 
the  wood  is  high. 

Other  Acacias. — A  new  collection  of  acacias  was  planted  out  in  the 
spring  of  1901,  and  with  previous  plantings  and  a  few  set  in  the  spring 
of  1902,  the  total  representation  of  acacias  is  now  nearly  thirty  species. 
One  of  the  most  striking  of  these  is  A.  Baileyana,  &  very  ornamental 
tree.  A.  verticillata  and  A.  linifolia,  both  species  of  small  growth,  have 
attracted  much  attention. 


OAKS  AND  OTHER  HARDWOOD  TREES. 

English  Oak  (Quercus  robur). — The  English  oak  has  now  received  a 
thorough  test  here  on  all  the  levels.  Many  trees  promised  well  until  about 
1897.  The  largest,  twelve  years  planted,  now  girth  from  14  inches  to 
21  inches,  a  foot  from  the  ground,  and  this  would  be  excellent  if  the 
trees  were  healthy.  But  four  out  of  five  of  the  trees  this  age  are  dead 
or  dying  at  the  top.  A  few  are  16  feet  high;  the  tallest  healthy  tree  is 
but  13  feet.     The  growth  is  seriously  affected,  as  elsewhere  on  the  coast, 


SANTA    MONICA    FORESTRY   SUBSTATION — ACACIAS.  101 

by  the  little  "oak  wasp"  (Andricus  sp.),  and  the  whole  tendency  of 
the  tree  is  to  grow  shrubby  and  crooked.  It  has  taken  much  pruning 
and  suckering  to  keep  them  in  shape.  The  tree  is  therefore  practically 
useless  here  for  timber  purposes,  as  are  all  the  oaks  tested  at  this  sub- 
station. 

The  Japanese  species  need  better  soil  and  more  water ;  the  Eastern 
oaks  grow  very  slowly  indeed.  In  the  canon  the  native  coast  live  oak 
(Quercus  agrifolia)  grows  very  well,  and  there  are  some  good  trees  of 
this  species  on  the  substation  tract.     Its  growth  is  checked  by  caterpillars. 

Black  Locust. — This  well-known  tree  remains  the  leading  small  hard- 
wood adapted  to  this  climate.  It  thrives  on  the  middle  mesa  without 
irrigation,  and  reproduces  readily  from  self-sown  seed.  Few  trees  have 
stood  the  severe  droughts  better.  Trees  can  be  grown  here  with  trunks 
of  8  or  10  inches  in  diameter  in  twelve  years.  This  tree  in  recent  years 
has  been  much  neglected;  its  value  for  fuel  and  fence-posts,  as  well  as 
for  various  hardwood  uses,  justifies  more  general  planting. 

The  Casuarinas. — No  species  of  hardwood  trees  have  proved  more 
drought-resistant  here  than  the  larger  casuarinas.  C.  suberosa  is  one  of 
the  best.  C.  glauca  has  done  well.  The  largest  trees  of  C.  suberosa,  now 
twelve  years  old,  show  trunks  6  feet  to  lowest  branches  and  girthing  from 
2  feet  2  inches  to  2  feet  10  inches.  Such  growth  gives  evidence  of  the 
great  value  of  casuarinas  to  tree-planters. 

Zelkova  keaki. — This  Japanese  hardwood  tree  needs  more  rain;  other- 
wise, the  climate  is  well  adapted  to  its  growth.  It  develops,  however, 
too  slowly  in  California  to  be  of  value  anywhere  when  compared  with 
other  species  of  hardwoods. 

Ashes. — After  long  trial  of  five  species,  including  the  European  White, 
American  White,  etc.,  the  Arizona  ash  (Fraxinus  velutina)  proves  by  far 
the  best  for  this  locality.  So  well  does  it  grow  from  seed  that  a  planta- 
tion, if  rainfall  or  irrigation  up  to  an  average  of  15  inches  per  annum 
can  be  obtained,  should  be  profitable.  Here,  with  an  average  of  only  10 
inches,  the  tree,  though  making  a  good  start,  does  not  equal  the  common 
black  locust,  the  casuarina  or  the  best  acacias ;  but  it  is  exceedingly 
drought-resistant. 

Maytenus  boaria. — This  little  Chilian  hardwood  tree  has  taken  hold 
remarkably  here,  growing  fast  without  irrigation.  Its  value  for  orna- 
mental purposes  is  undoubted,  but  its  hardwood  value  depends  on  rate 
of  growth,  which  is  greater  here  than  at  Berkeley,  with  greater  rainfall. 

Other  Hardwood  Trees. — There  are  many  interesting  and  valuable 
trees  in  the  arboretum  here  which  have  proven  their  adaptation  to  the 
locality,  and  some  of  these  deserve  especial  mention. 

Seed  of  the  Schinus  terebinthifolius,  a  new  and  large-leaved  pepper 
tree,  was  locally  distributed  last  season.  The  demand  is  great  and 
increasing.  It  is  a  much  more  bright-leaved,  healthy,  and  attractive 
tree  than  the  common  pepper  tree  (Schinus  molle),  and  should  in  great 
degree  supersede  it.  As  in  the  case  of  the  common  species,  the  berries 
are  red  and  handsome;  the  leaves  and  general  growth  are  superior.  It 
was  planted  on  a  dry  hillside  and  has  received  no  irrigation. 


102  UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT    STATION. 


CHICO  FORESTRY  SUBSTATION. 

(Situated  one  mile  east  of  Chico,  near  the  Sierra  foothills;  elevation,  230  feet.) 


In  previous  reports  the  history  of  this  substation  has  been  given,  and 
need  not  be  repeated.  Three  years'  further  experience  with  the  location 
only  makes  more  evident  its  great  value  as  regards  soil,  climate,  and 
facilities  for  the  cheap  and  rapid  production  of  fine  forest  trees,  or  for 
any  agricultural  experiments. 

Five  acres  as  yet  unplanted  remain  at  the  western  end  of  the  tract, 
and  the  soil  there  is  extremely  rich.  The  vacant  land  at  the  upper  or 
eastern  end  of  the  tract  is  more  sandy,  though  still  excellent  for  tree 
growth. 

Since  1898  the  substation  has  been  carried  on  at  a  reduced  expense, 
using  the  Rancho  Chico  teams  and  labor  and  paying  merely  the  actual 
cost.  A  workman  has  occupied  the  small  house  on  the  grounds  and  has 
kept  the  place  in  order,  working  elsewhere  when  not  needed  at  the  sub- 
station. In  1901,  Mr.  T.  L.  Bohlender,  formerly  in  charge  of  the  Chico 
nursery  and  later  the  ranch  foreman,  made  an  agreement  by  which  he 
gives  a  portion  of  his  time  to  supervision  of  the  work  at  the  substation, 
and  this  arrangement  continues. 

The  substation,  however,  needs  the  entire  time  of  some  competent 
person,  as  at  Santa  Monica,  or  it  might  with  advantage  be  developed 
hereafter  into  a  substation  fully  equal  in  importance  to  that  near 
Pomona,  for  not  less  than  five  acres  of  its  area  can  be  devoted  to  agri- 
cultural experiments  without  seriously  infringing  upon  its  forestal 
value.  Besides,  it  is  probable  that  a  larger  area  can  be  secured  when 
needed  for  strictly  forestry  work.  At  all  events,  the  foundation  for  a 
most  useful  Sacramento  Valley  substation  exists  at  Chico,  where  also 
sufficient  trees  can  be  easily  and  cheaply  grown  to  cover  the  entire 
eastern  or  hill  portion  of  the  University  tract  at  Berkeley. 

There  have  been  no  other  changes  in  local  management.  Mr.  V.  C. 
Richards,  editor  of  the  Chico  "  Record/'  appointed  Patron  in  1897, 
still  holds  that  office.  Colonel  C.  C.  Royce,  manager  of  Rancho  Chico, 
and  Mrs.  Bidwell,  the  owner  of  that  famous  place,  have  continued  their 
interest  in  the  station. 

Eucalyptus  Planting. — The  most  important  extension  planned  for  is 
that  of  the  eucalypts  at  the  eastern  end  of  the  tract.  About  four 
thousand  trees  of  E.  rostrata  and  other  hardy  species  are  being  grown 
for  planting  here  in  the  autumn  of  1902.  They  are  now  in  seed-boxes 
and  will  be  set  out  with  the  first  rains. 

CLIMATIC  CONDITIONS. 

There  is  very  little  difference  in  climate  between  the  town  of  Chico 
and  the  substation.  Some  seasons  the  cold  is  less  at  the  latter  place, 
but  severe  frosts  are  about  the  same  everywhere  along  the  creek.     In 


CHICO   FORESTRY    SUBSTATION — CLIMATE.  103 

fact,  some  of  the  orchards  which  have  suffered  most  are  several  miles 
east  of  Chico,  and  at  a  considerable  elevation.  Only  a  few  species  of 
acacias  do  well  here,  and  the  eucalypts  are  also  limited  in  their  adapta- 
tion to  this  region.  The  growth  of  the  conifers  is  enormous,  and  that 
of  many  oaks  and  ashes  is  also  unusually  great.  The  rainfall  is  excel- 
lent; the  summer  heats  are  modified  by  the  trade  winds. 

Rainfall. — The  average  rainfall  of  the  Chico  district,  based  on  observa- 
tions since  1870,  is  somewhat  over  25  inches.  It  has  fallen  as  low  as  12 
inches,  and  has  risen  to  more  than  50  inches,  but  these  extremes  very 
rarely  occur.  The  following  table  shows  the  rainfall  for  the  past  seven- 
teen years,  the  average  of  which,  disregarding  1901-2,  which  is  not  quite 
complete  at  this  date,  is  26.64  inches: 

Rainfall  from  September,  1885,  to  April,  1902. 

coc,™  Total 

Season.  Rainfall. 

1885-6 31.13  in. 

1886-7 --..  17.16  " 

1887-8 _ 14.49  " 

1888-9 j 21.50  " 

1889-90... _ 52.71  " 

1890-1 23.46  " 

1891-2 _ 22.40  " 

1892-3 33.50  " 

1893^ 23.32  " 

1894-5 34.56  " 

1895-6 25.54  " 

1896-7 22.44  " 

1897-8 12.81  " 

1898-9 _ 18.45  " 

1899-1900 24.89  " 

1900-1 27.22  " 

1901-2.... 19.96  " 

There  is  a  good  deal  of  early  summer  rain  in  this  region,  lengthening 
the  season.  The  rains  have  commenced  as  early  as  August  30th,  but 
the  usual  time  is  in  late  September  or  early  October.  They  have  con- 
tinued until  July  11th,  in  showers  after  April,  excellent  for  many  crops, 
but  injuring  cherries,  hay,  etc.  The  rainless  period  is  comparatively 
short  here,  and  the  growth  of  all  kinds  of  trees  suitable  to  the  climate 
is  therefore  stimulated.  No  other  portion  of  California  with  which  I  am 
acquainted  has  shown  such  rapid  growth  of  the  native  white  oak  ( Quer- 
cus  lobata),  nor  such  large  groves  of  second-growth  trees  springing  up 
since  the  American  occupation,  and  this  must  be  attributed  in  great 
measure  to  the  favorable  rainfall. 

Temperature. — The  observations  of  the  past  twenty  years  give  an  aver- 
age winter  temperature  of  46.6°  Fahr.,  an  average  summer  temperature 
of  81.3°,  and  an  average  annual  temperature  of  63.8°.  The  lowest 
temperature  of  the  period  was  18°,  and  the  highest  was  115°. 

The  following  table  shows  the  temperature  day  by  day  during  1899, 
1900,  and  1901,  as  furnished  by  Colonel  C.  C.  Royce,  and  kept  on  Rancho 
Chico.  These  temperatures  were  taken  from  a  point  fifteen  feet  above 
the  ground,  and  the  minimums  therefore  show  from  5°  to  8°  lower  than 
would  be  the  case  if  taken  in  the  town,  on  the  plan  of  the  Weather 
Bureau,  from  the  top  of  a  high  building.  They  were  taken  for  agricul- 
tural purposes,  and  show  the  actual  conditions  to  which  vegetation  at 
the  forestry  station  and  the  adjacent  district  is  subjected: 


Period 

in  which 

Some  Rain  Fell. 

7rx 

7 
7 

lonths  12  days. 

u 

12 

« 

9 

u 

11 

H 

7 

u 

5 

II 

9 

11 

10 

II 

7 

(t 

12 

ll 

7 

" 

10 

11 

10 

" 

4 

II 

7 

" 

28 

" 

7 

11 

1 

II 

9 

'• 

20 

tl 

7 

*' 

2 

(( 

6 

<( 

5 

(« 

7 

" 

1 

(( 

7 

" 

22 

(( 

7 

(1 

22 

(( 

104 


UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA— EXPERIMENT    STATION. 
Temperature  Records  at  Rancho  Chico. 


1899. 


1900. 


1901. 


January. 

Temperature — 
Mean  for  month  (Fahr.). 

Warmest  day 

Coldest  day 

Range 

Greatest  daily  variation . 

Least  daily  variation 

Mean  daily  range 

Mean  lowest 

Mean  highest 

Frost  on 


Rain  on 


Fog  on 
Ice  on  _ 


February. 

Temperature — 

Mean  for  month 

Warmest  day 

Coldest  day 

Range 

Greatest  daily  variation. 

Least  daily  variation 

Mean  daily  range 

Mean  lowest 

Mean  highest  _ 

Frost  on 


Rain  on 

Fog  on  . 
Ice  on  . . 


March. 
Temperature — 

Mean  for  month 

Warmest  day 

Coldest  day 

Range ._ 

.     Greatest  daily  variation. 

Least  daily  variation .... 

M  ean  daily  range 

Mean  lowest .. 

Mean  highest 

Frost  on 


Rain  on 


Ice  on 


April. 

Temperature- 
Mean  for  month 

Warmest  day... 

Coldest  day 

Range 

Greatest  daily  variation 
Least  daily  variation  ... 

Mean  daily  range 

Mean  lowest 

Mean  highest 


27th 
4th. 


24th 
18th 


....  53° 

....  75 

....  29.5 

....  45.5 

....  31 

....  5 

17.5 

46 

59 

8th,  12th,  23d,  24th. 

6th,  7th,  9th-llth, 
13th-15th. 

17th,  18th. 


19th 
6th.. 


18th 
28th 


51 
79 
24 
55 
31 
7 
23.7 
39.1 


10th,  11th,  25th. 


28th. 


4th,  5th,  6th. 


....  53.8 

....  74 

....  30 

....  44 

....  35 

3 

20.4 

._ 43.6 

64 

10th,  13th,  30th. 


6th. 
10th 


6th. 
15th 


7th,  8th,  12th,  14th, 
15th,  17th,  19th- 
20th,  22d-24th, 
31st. 

13th. 


59.9 


21st 
29th 


29th 
23d. 


87 

36 

51 

39 

14 

28.2 

45.8 

74 


48° 

6th,  17th  ....  62 

24th... 30 

32 
9th"""."""  23 

28th 3 

11.4 

42 

._ 54 

9th,  10th,  11th, 

25th. 
lst-5th,12th-15th, 

18th,  28th. 

12th-15th,   18th- 

22d,  29th-31st. 
24th. 


50.3 

24th 70 

7th,  9th 33 

37 

23d-. 31 

7th 2 

19.3 

... 39.8 

60.7 

5th-7th,  9th,  11th, 

12th,  23d,  27th, 

28th. 
1st,  2d,  17th-20th, 

25th. 
2d,  3d. 
Hailstorm,  18th. 


— 57.3 

13th 81 

28th 33 

48 

28th 36 

7th 4 

23.4 

45.5 

69.1 

28th. 

3d,  4th,  6th-8th, 
19th. 


Hail,  4th. 


57.3 


17th,  18th. -.  81 


9th 


17th 
11th 


35 

46 

36 

3 

23.7 
45.2 
69.3 


44.9° 

16th 62 

1st 23 

— 39 

19th 29 

2d 6 

17.2 

36 

53  9 
7th,"l5"th,~i6th,  23d- 

26th,  28th. 
3d,  4th,  6th,  8th, 

10th-14th,  20th, 

21st,  24th,  31st. 
13th,  14th,  29th, 

30th. 
1st,  9th,  10th,  17th, 

19th,  29th. 


48.5 

28th. .  77 

10th... 26 

51 

10th... 32 

5th,  13th  ....  8 

18.9 

39.1 

58 


2d-5th,  7th,  13th, 
16  th,  18th-20th. 


1st,  6th,  10th,  11th. 
Snow  on  7th,  8th. 


54.9 

5th... 78 

31st .  34 

...   44 

19th... 33 

4th 3 

....  23.4 

42.2 

67.5 

8th,    13th-15th, 

28th-31st. 
9th,  10th,  22d,  25th, 

27th,  28th. 


55.9 

13th 81 

4th... 30 

- 51 

10th... 40 

5th 3 

25.2 

41.7 

70.1 


CHICO   FORESTRY    SUBSTATION — CLIMATE. 
Temperature  Records  at  Rancho  Chico — Continued. 


105 


1899. 

1900. 

1901. 

April— Continued. 
Frost  on 

Rain  on.. _ 

24th,    25th, 

29th. 
24th,  30th. 

28  th, 

.    62° 
.  96 
.  38 
.  58 
.  39 
.  14 
.  27.5 
.  47.9 
.  75 

28th, 

.  74.5 
.104 
.  46 
.  54 
.  44 
.  15 
.  30.1 
.  59.8 
.  89.3 
h. 

.  77.7 
.105 
_  52 
.  53 
.  41 
.  18 
.  33.5 
.  60.8 

.  72.2 
.  92 
.  49 
.  43 
.  38 
.  17 
.  29.2 
.  56 
.  88.3 

.  72.7 
.  99 

.  47 
.  52 
.  44 
.  25 
.  35.2 
.  55 
.  90.3 

9th. 

1st,  2d,  6th, 
12th,    19th 
30th. 

11th, 
-21st, 

.  64.8° 
.  92 
.  44 
.  48 
.  26 
.  16 
.  28.3 
.  51.8 
.  77.7 

3d,    4th,    6th-10th, 

22d. 
2d,  5th,  28th,  29th. 

May. 
Temperature — 
Mean  for  month 

63.7° 

Warmest  day  __ 

10th 

1st 

31st 

11th,   27th.. 

31st               ..92 

Coldest  day 

Range 

19th 41 

.    51 

Greatest  daily  variation... 

Least  daily  variation 

Mean  daily  range 

12th 

31st 

20th,  30th.. 
4th. 

8th 38 

24th 13 

..    27.2 

Mean  lowest 

50 

Mean  highest 

77.4 

Frost  on... 

1st,  2d,  15th 
23d-25th, 
31st. 

~16th_  ".'..WW 
2d 

Rain  on 

1st,    3d-5th, 
12th. 

"6th; "  11th." 
16th.. 

9th- 

.  70.4 
.102 
.  48 
.  54 
.  43 
.  16 
.  30 
.  58 
.  82.8 

.  78.7 
.104 
.  54 
.  50 
.  44 
.  22 
.  30.5 
.  62.6 
.  94.9 

.  72.2 
.  99 
.  51 
.  48 
_  42 
.  20 
.  29.6 
.  56.4 
.  88 

1st,  24th,  25th,  27th. 
Fog  on  29th. 

71.2 

June. 
Temperature- 
Mean  for  month 

Warmest  day 

Coldest  day 

28th 103 

12th                   44 

Range...  

.  59 

Greatest  daily  variation... 

Least  daily  variation. 

Mean  daily  range 

16th.. 

1st,  24th.... 

5th 

21st 

13th,   27th.. _  38 

4th...  21 

30.5 

Mean  lowest 

~ist,~18th~  24t 

"l8tn,"~19tn~" 
6th. 

"8th7_7__"~~~l 
29th.. 

15th~~21st.~" 

55.2 

Mean  highest 

Rain  on _ 

87.1 

July. 

Temperature — 
Mean  for  month 

...    78.6 

Warmest  day ... 

7th,   8th..... 
2d 

6th,27th,31st.l0l 

2d,  13th 52 

49 

Coldest  day 

Range . ... 

Greatest  daily  variation... 

Least  daily  variation 

Mean  daily  range 

7th 

22d 

19th,  20th  ...  41 

11th... 12 

32 

Mean  lowest 

62.7 

Mean  highest 

94.4 

August. 

Temperature — 
Mean  for  month 

_.  75.1 

Warmest  day 

1st,  30th.... 
27th,  28th  .. 

1st,  3d 

21st 

2d 104 

Coldest  day 

22d_. 49 

Range _ 

55 

Greatest  daily  variation... 

Least  daily  variation 

Mean  daily  range 

1st 

17th. 

1st 

6th. 

11th 39 

17th. 8 

29 

Mean  lowest 

59.4 

Mean  highest  .   

90.8 

Rain  on 

3d,  4th,  6th. 

September. 
Temperature — 
Mean  for  month  . 

.  64.5 
.  94 

.  44 
.  50 
h  36 
.     8 
.  26.3 
.  52 
.  79 

66.7 

Warmest  day 

Coldest  day _ 

24th 

6th,  7th  .... 

1st 

27th,  30th  .. 

14th,        15th, 

16th,   17th.  92 
24th 42 

Range 

....  50 

Greatest  daily  variation  ... 

Least  daily  variation 

Mean  daily  range 

23d 

28th 

1st,  29th,  30t] 
8th... 

8th 37 

23d 10 

27 

53.4 

Mean  highest 

80 

Rain  on _ 

11th,  12th. 

22d,  23d,  25th. 

106 


UNIVERSITY   OF    CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT    STATION. 
Temperature  Records  at  Rancho  Chico — Continued. 


1899. 


1900. 


1901. 


October. 

Temperature- 
Mean  for  month 

Warmest  day _ 

Coldest  day 

Range 

Greatest  daily  variation _ . 

Least  daily  variation 

Mean  daily  range _. 

Mean  lowest 

Mean  highest 

Frost  on. _ _ 

Rain  on 


8th 

15th,  24th  .. 


6th  ... 
20th. . 


November. 
Temperature — 

Mean  for  month. 

Warmest  day 

Coldest  day 

Range 

Greatest  daily  variation 

Least  daily  variation 

Mean  daily  range 

Mean  lowest 

Mean  highest 

Frost  on 

Rain  on _ 


58.8° 
96 
37 
59 
41 
5 

23.9 

46.8 

70.8 

24th,  27th. 
10th,    12th,    13th, 
19th-22d,    29th, 
30th. 


53.9 
69 
36 
33 
31 
9 

18.5 
44.6 
63.1 


13th,  14th  ... 
22d..__ 


2d.. 
11th 


Fog  on 


23d. 

3d,  8th,  9th,  11th, 
12th,  15th,  16th, 
18th,  21st,  23d, 
25th-29th. 


December. 


Temperature- 
Mean  for  month.. 

Warmest  day 

Coldest  day __. 

Range _ 

Greatest  daily  variation. 

Least  daily  variation 

Mean  daily  range 

Mean  lowest. ._ 

Mean  highest 

Frost  on __, 

Rain  on 


2d,  3d 
20th.. 


1st  .. 
11th 


Fog  on 
Ice  on  . 


..  48.1 
..  64 
..  28 
..  36 
..  24 
..    6 

15 

44 

52.2 

ist,6th,17th,'l8th. 

4th,  7th-llth, 

14th-16th,  29th- 

31st. 

3d,  4th,20th-29th. 

13th,  19th,  20th. 


58.3C 

8th 82 

30th 35 

47 

8th 36 

4th 7 

23 

46.8 

69.7 

25th. 

2d,  3d,  4th,  11th, 

18th,  19th,  27th, 

30th,  31st. 


52.9 

12th... 74 

28th,  29th  ...  35 

39 

11th 31 

24th 5 

193 

- 42.5 

63.3 

28th. 

7th,  15th,  16th, 

17th,  19th,  20th, 

21st,  24th,  25th, 

30th. 

lst,23d,  27th,  29th. 


45.7 

21st 66 

31st 23 

43 

27th,  28th  ...  25 

10th 3 

12.7 

....  39.1 

52  2 
1st,  23d,"27th. 
12th,  14th,  16th- 
20th. 

2d-13th,  25th, 

26th,  29th. 
28th,  30th,  31st. 


65.2° 

12th .  89 

29th 41 

48 

11th,  12th  ...  36 

26th 12 

25.4 

53.2 

- 77.1 

i7th"2~3~d;25th-28th. 


- 54.4 

3d 74 

12th 36 

....  38 

4th 31 

19th,  23d_...     5 

19 

44.9 

63.8 

11th,  12th. 
9th,  15th,  16th,  19th, 
20th,  23d,  28th. 


46.8 

2d 68 

16th 26 

42 

20th,  31st-...  30 

3d 1 

19.5 

37 

56  5 
7th;  22d,"  26th,  28th. 
2d,  3d,  5th,  9th. 

llth-21st,  29th. 


STUDIES  OF  TREE  GROWTH. 

The  fitness  of  this  district  to  rapid  growth  of  trees  is  illustrated  by 
almost  every  measurement  taken  since  the  establishment  of  the  station. 
Cultivation  has  been  given  to  all  the  trees  when  small.  The  larger 
conifers  now  cover  the  ground  so  completely  that  cultivation  is  no  longer 
necessary  or  practicable. 

THE    CONIFERS. 

The  most  striking  feature  of  the  substation  consists  of  large  pines, 
cypresses,  sequoias,  and  other  conifers  planted  in  blocks.  The  following 
table  shows  the  comparative  growth  of  a  few  species: 


CHTCO   FORESTRY    SUBSTATION — STUDIES   OF   TREE    GROWTH.  107 


Name.  No'  of  Trees 


TABLE  I.    Representative  Conifers. 

Vv.  Size,  Oct.,  1897.  Size,  Oct.,  1901. 

Measured.  H^lrt7^~~Girth?  flSiht.  Girth? 

Araucaria  Bidwelli 1                 12  ft.               6  in.  20  ft.  8  in. 

Chamsecyparis  Lawsoniana  ..           5  18  "               22  "  21  "  30  " 

Cupressus  sempervirens 5  26  "               18  "  42  "  36  " 

Pinus  austriaca 5  18"               16"  22"  21" 

Pinus  insignis 5  25"               28"  32"  42" 

Pinus  resinosa _ 5  22"               17  "  38"  36  " 

Pinus  sylvestris 5  16"               14"  21"  24" 

Pseudotsuga  taxifolia 5  11  "                8  "  16  "  15  " 

Sequoia  gigantea 5  27"               36"  42"  48" 

Sequoia  sempervirens 5  22  "               16  "  43  "  46  " 

These  trees  are  in  age  fourteen  or  fifteen  years  from  seed,  but  no  record 
was  kept  at  the  station  by  those  in  charge  before  the  University  assumed 
control.  There  is  but  one  Araucaria,  and  it  stands  too  close  to  large 
oaks  to  have  a  fair  chance.  The  numbers  of  the  other  species  range 
from  10  (Pseudotsuga)  to  400  and  500  (Pinus  sylvestris  and  Cupressus 
sempervirens).  The  trees  chosen  stand  on  the  outside  of  the  blocks 
which  are  now  being  thinned. 

The  only  difficulty  in  regard  to  the  continued  development  of  these 
blocks  of  conifers  and  the  maturing  of  as  large  a  timber-crop  as  this 
soil  can  possibly  carry,  lies  in  the  nature  of  some  of  the  root  systems  in 
transplanted  trees.  When  a  block  of  225  trees  of  Pinus  resinosa  was 
partially  thinned  in  the  spring  of  1902,  a  violent  gale  from  the  north 
blew  down  several  of  the  standing  trees,  and  showed  conclusively  that 
the  roots  of  conifers  planted  in  sacks,  as  these  were  in  1889,  are 
more  or  less  prevented  from  properly  descending.  There  is  no  reason 
why  much  smaller  conifers  should  not  be  used,  or  seeds  sown  under 
temporary  shelter  plants.  In  all  cases  where  deep-rooted,  healthy  trees 
are  desired,  pines  and  other  conifers  can  be  transplanted  from  boxes 
when  only  a  foot  high,  in  small  "puddled"  balls  of  earth,  without  the 
use  of  sacks.  Certainly  the  sacks  should  always  be  removed,  not  merely 
slashed  across. 

Self-sown  seedlings  already  show  in  the  groves,  and  the  reproductive 
powers  of  any  natural  forest  in  this  district,  if  properly  protected,  are 
evidently  great.  Allusion  has  been  made  to  the  rise  of  large  oak  groves, 
but  no  less  interesting  is  the  extent  to  which  young  Pinus  sabiniana 
thickets  abound  on  Rancho  Chico.  This  forestry  station  shows  on 
every  hand  satisfactory  natural  increase  of  many  species,  coniferous 
and  deciduous. 

Further  Notes  on  Conifers. — There  were  two  cedars,  Cedrus  deodara 
and  Cedrus  Libani,  planted  in  1895  at  the  eastern  end  of  the  substation. 
The  former  has  far  outgrown  the  latter,  and  is  23  feet  high,  with 
branches  touching  the  ground;  the  latter  is  but  13^  feet  high. 

The  Italian  cypresses  (C.  sempervirens)  are  in  some  cases  nearly  50 
feet  high,  and  are  superb  trees.  Many  are  heavily  branched,  and  the 
lower  branches  in  these  blocks  begin  to  fall,  but  the  columnar  specimens 
still  receive  light  on  all  sides. 

The  best  block  of  Pinus  austriaca  averages  over  25  feet  high,  with 
girths  that  often  equal  or  exceed  20  inches,  but  the  specimens  tabu- 
lated were  from  a  block  of  somewhat  smaller  size. 

The  growth  of  conifers  in  the  mixed  forest  planted  in  January,  1895, 
affords  the  best  illustration  the  substation  can  give  of  the   ease   and 


108  UNIVERSITY   OF    CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT    STATION. 

rapidity  of  tree-growth  here.  The  conifers  are  rapidly  taking  posses- 
sion of  the  entire  ground,  and  the  larger  maples,  walnuts,  catalpas, 
paulownias,  and  mulberries  scattered  through  this  two-acre  plantation 
have  been  removed,  leaving,  however,  many  deciduous  trees.  All  the 
conifers  here  were  planted  out  when  small  by  Mr.  Boland,  then  fore- 
man, and  have  deep  root-systems. 

The  most  remarkable  growths  made  in  the  mixed  forest  were  of 
Pinus  sabiniana,  many  of  which  now  stand  more  than  18  feet  high. 
Three  measured  girths  of  20,  22,  and  23  inches.  From  seed  these  are 
but  eight  years  old.  It  is  a  pity  that  the  timber  from  this  tree  is  not 
more  valuable,  but  its  usefulness  in  the  foothills  has  hardly  received 
sufficient  attention,  for  it  grows  under  very  adverse  conditions.  The 
following  brief  table  shows  comparative  growths  of  some  of  the  mixed- 
forest  conifers: 

TABLE  II.    Measurements  of  Conifers  in  Mixed  Forest. 

Name.                                      Measured.           A^e-  HeiSht'  Girth" 

Pinus  sabiniana _ 5  8  to  9  18  ft.  21  in. 

Pinus  ponderosa 5  8  "9  12"  10" 

Pinus  austriaca 5  8  "  9  11  "  9  " 

Pinus  lambertiana 5  8  "9  10"  8" 

Thuya  gigantea 4  8  "9  9"  7" 

Larix  europea .__ 2  9  4"  3" 

Conifers  of  Especial  Value. — The  experience  of  the  substation  leads  us 
to  recommend  several  species  of  conifers  for  more  general  planting  in 
the  Sacramento  Valley  and  on  the  foothills.  Among  our  native  trees, 
Pinus  ponderosa,  the  great  yellow  pine  of  the  Sierra  takes  a  prominent 
place.  The  redwood  (Sequoia  sempervirens)  does  much  better  than  was 
expected,  but  on  drier  situations  will  not  thrive  so  well.  The  growth 
and  health  of  the  Big  Tree  (Sequoia  gigantea)  shows  that  it  may  be 
extensively  planted  for  ornament  and  shelter.  The  Monterey  pine, 
though  growing  quite  well,  is  best  adapted  to  the  coast;  but  the  so-called 
Oregon  pine  (Pseudotsuga)  is  entirely  at  home  here.  The  best  exotic 
conifers  tested  are  the  Deodar  cedar  and  Pinus  austriaca.  The  latter 
is  not  as  rapid  in  growth  as  some  other  species,  but  it  makes  a  fine  tree. 
There  should  be  more  attention  paid  by  land-owners,  to  the  establish- 
ment of  small  groves  of  our  native  conifers,  especially  as  windbreaks. 

DECIDUOUS    TREES. 

The  largest  European  White  Birch  among  several  of  the  same  age, 
girths  30  inches  and  is  45  feet  high.  Its  age  is  about  fifteen  years.  A 
group  of  about  seventy-five  younger  specimens  of  this  birch  (Betula 
alba),  planted  in  1895,  small  trees  received  by  mail,  are  now  (1902) 
from  35  to  40  feet  high,  and  four  girthed,  respectively,  12,  14,  15,  and  16 
inches.  Birches  generally  do  well  in  this  region,  and  any  one  who 
wishes  may  have  a  grove  of  this  beautiful  white-stem  tree,  the  fastest- 
growing  species  of  birch  yet  tested  here. 

Previous  reports  have  described  the  two  Catalpa  (C.  speciosa)  groves. 
Small  trees  from  self-sown  seeds  are  frequently  to  be  found  here.  The 
late  General  Bidwell  planted  many  catalpas  and  distributed  trees 
widely  at  various  times  from  his  nurseries.  The  average  height  of  the 
catalpas  at  the  substation  in  1897  was  30  feet,  with  trunks  26  inches  in 


CHICO   FORESTRY    SUBSTATION — STUDIES   OF   TREE    GROWTH.  109 

girth,  breast-high.  In  1902,  three  girthed  36,  40,  and  46  inches. 
Young  catalpas  planted  in  1895,  when  3  feet  high,  are  now  (1902)  18 
feet  high  and  girth  12  inches.  The  catalpa  seems  to  produce  on  a  given 
area  in  a  given  time  about  twice  the  amount  of  wood  as  does  the  well- 
known  Western  box-elder  (Negundo  Calif ornica),  which  is  often  planted 
for  its  rapid  growth.  Neither  species,  however,  begins  to  yield  as  much 
wood  as  the  paulownia. 

The  Paulownia  imperialis  of  Japan  is  very  little  known,  but  it  grows 
with  such  rapidity  here  that  its  more  frequent  growing  can  be  recom- 
mended. Some  remarkable  measurements  of  this  tree  have  been  given 
in  previous  reports.  This  year  (1902)  one  was  measured  which  in  two 
years  had  grown  from  an  old  stump  to  a  height  of  25  feet  with  a  girth 
of  15  inches  and  was  well-branched  about  15  feet  from  the  ground. 
Numbers  of  the  older  paulownia  planted  in  1889  are  over  40  inches  in 
girth;  three,  measured  "as  they  came,"  were  45,  48,  and  49  inches. 
One  of  the  largest,  near  the  grove  of  sequoias,  girths  5-J  feet.  The  com- 
mercial value  of  paulownia  wood  in  California  has  not  yet  been  deter- 
mined, but  many  small  articles  of  Japanese  manufacture,  such  as  toys, 
boxes,  and  furniture,  are  made  of  this  light-brownish  timber. 

Several  species  of  Celtis  (nettle-tree)  have  grown  very  fast  here.  The 
best  is  Celtis  australis,  which,  planted  in  1896,  now  girth  12  and  14 
inches  and  are  16  to  18  feet  high.  C.  occidentalism  somewhat  older,  has 
also  made  very  fine  growth.  C.  orientalis  is  much  behind  the  others. 
These  are  all  trees  of  easy  cultivation. 

One  of  the  disappointments  here  is  the  growth  of  Zelkova  keaki,  which 
ranks  as  the  best  hardwood  of  Japan.  A  lot  of  trees  were  obtained  in 
1895  and  several  thousand  trees  grown.  These  were  widely  distributed, 
and  a  block  was  planted  here.  The  trees  have  never  straightened  up  or 
made  much  growth.  The  increase  of  wood  is  only  about  one  quarter 
that  of  American  ash  and  half  that  of  English  oak.  The  tree  does  no 
better  anywhere  else,  so  far  as  tested  in  California. 

The  Ashes  have  deservedly  attracted  attention  here,  and  no  other 
hardwood  better  justifies  planting  for  timber  in  this  region,  if  the  best 
species  be  used.  Fraxinus  dimorpha  is  small  and  slow  of  growth,  but 
a  beautiful  ornamental.  It  comes  from  Algeria.  Trees  planted  in  1896 
are  now  (1902)  10  and  12  feet  high,  girthing  7  and  8  inches.  Fraxinus 
kabyla,  also  from  Algeria,  is  a  much  more  striking  species.  Four  meas- 
ured (eight  years  from  seed)  girthed  16,  18,  19,  and  20  inches,  and  they 
are  18  to  20  feet  high,  with  fine  trunks.  Fraxinus  oregona,  of  the  same 
age,  are  only  two  thirds  as  large.  Fraxinus  viridis  is  also  much  poorer 
than  F.  kabyla.  Fraxinus  alba,  however,  the  well-known  American  white 
ash,  ranks  in  point  of  growth  somewhat  nearly  with  F.  kabyla.  Trees 
grown  from  seed  in  1892  are  now,  ten  years  later,  about  as  large  as  F. 
kabyla  trees  of  eight  years  of  age,  and  a  few  are  even  larger.  The  differ- 
ence so  far  is  perhaps  ten  per  cent  in  favor  of  the  foreigners.  The  older 
white  ashes,  in  some  cases,  fourteen  years  of  age,  are  very  fine  trees. 
One  is  40  feet  high  and  3  feet  in  girth,  and  all  are  nearly  as  large  as  this. 
The  best  single  ash  upon  the  substation,  considering  age,  is  a  white  ash 
eleven  years  old,  planted  on  the  main  avenue.  It  is  30  feet  high,  10 
feet  to  the  lowest  branch,  and  girths  28  inches.  The  growth  of  ash 
timber  on  such  land  as  this  should  attract  attention,  as  evidently  in 
twenty  or  twenty-five  years  some  cutting  could  be  done.  The  growth 
of  the  white  and  the  Kabyla  ashes  here  has  been  about  equal  to  that  of 


110 


UNIVERSITY   OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT    STATION. 


the  strong-growing  Japanese  mulberry  known  as  "Lhoo,"  and  much 
surpasses  that  of  the  white  or  red  mulberries. 

Elms  are  often  planted  in  this  region.     Two  Huntingdon  elms  at  the 
west  gate,  planted  from  the  nursery  in  1892,  now  girth  31  and  35  inches, 


and  have  a  very  large  spread  of  branches.     They  were  in  full  bloom 
March  29,  1902. 

English  Oaks  are  well  represented  here,  as  well  as  many  other  species 
of  Quercus.  All  have  been  planted  since  1894,  and  many  now  bear 
acorns.     Those  left  untrimmed  are  "  bushy,"  branch  near  the  ground, 


CHICO   FORESTRY    SUBSTATION — STUDIES    OF   TREE   GROWTH.  Ill 

and  are  far  behind  those  that  were  pruned.  The  latter,  now  from  seven 
to  nine  years  old  from  the  acorn,  stand  from  14  to  15  feet  high,  with 
trunks  that  girth  from  8  to  15  inches.  One  tree,  which  was  several 
years  old  when  sent  to  the  station,  and  is  therefore  about  twelve  years 
from  the  acorn,  stands  22  feet  high,  with  a  trunk  circumference  of  21 
inches.  This  region  is  one  of  the  best  oak  districts  in  the  State,  and 
English  oaks  (Q.  robur),  or  cork  oaks  (Q.  suber),  or  any  other  desirable 
American  or  European  species,  can  be  grown  here. 

Quercus  lobata  has  an  excellent  representative  in  the  celebrated 
Hooker  oak,  which  stands  in  the  center  of  a  large  open  glade,  about  a 
mile  from  the  substation.  This  very  shapely  and  beautiful  tree,  shown 
in  the  accompanying  illustration  (taken  by  Dr.  Loughridge  in  1900), 
was  greatly  admired  by  Sir  Joseph  Hooker  when  in  California.  The 
following  are  the  dimensions  as  measured  in  July,  1894,  by  Mr.  Boland, 
the  foreman  of  the  station: 

Circumference  of  trunk _.     20  feet. 

Circumference  of  largest  branch 15£    " 

Spread  of  limbs  from  trunk,  on  south 73    " 

Spread  of  limbs  from  trunk,  on  north __ 63    " 

Spread  of  limbs  from  east  to  west _ 112    " 

Approximate  height _. __ 100    " 

The  largest  willow  trees,  S.  salmoni,  or  S.  alba  salmoni,  grown  from 
cuttings  planted  in  1895,  are  over  60  feet  high,  and  girth  more  than  30 
inches.  One  of  these  trees  is  68  feet  in  height,  and  its  trunk  is  38  inches 
around,  measuring  breast-high.  Cuttings  of  this  willow  have  now  been 
widely  distributed;  it  grows  considerably  faster  than  the  common  Salix 
alba  form. 

THE   EUCALYPTS   AND   ACACIAS. 

Previous  reports  have  described  the  work  done  with  many  sorts  of 
eucalyptus  here.  Their  rapidity  of  growth  is  astonishing,  and  it  would 
seem  that  profitable  plantations  of  certain  species  could  be  planted  in 
the  Sacramento  Valley. 

The  station  recommends  E.  rostrata  and  E.  viminalis  as  highly  desir- 
able species,  whose  timber  is  much  more  useful  than  that  of  E.  globulus. 
Few  large  trees  of  E.  rostrata  exist  here,  the  earlier  plantings  having 
been  mainly  of  E.  viminalis,  but  a  few  are  scattered  in  the  earlier  plan- 
tation (established  in  1889),  and  there  is  no  appreciable  difference  in 
the  growth  of  the  two  species.  Both  are  desirable;  the  wood  of  E.  ros- 
trata is  considered  the  more  useful. 

The  following  measurements  of  the  older  trees,  now  thirteen  or  four- 
teen years  from  seed,  will  show  how  the  red  gums  have  increased  in  this 
kindly  soil  and  climate.  In  the  old  grove,  five  trees  out  of  twenty- one 
of  E.  viminalis  were  measured,  and  girthed,  respectively,  46,  48,  51,  57, 
and  61  inches.  One  girthed  almost  exactly  6  feet.  These  trees  are  20, 
30,  and  40  feet  to  a  branch.  Trees  of  E.  rostrata,  of  the  same  age,  girthed 
50,  52,  54,  and  64  inches,  and  one  was  a  little  more  than  6  feet  around. 

A  superb  grove  of  mixed  species,  rostrata,  viminalis,  amygdalina,  and 
others,  averages  trees  of  50  to  60  inches  in  girth  and  something  over  100 
feet  high.  The  largest  tree  here  is  6  feet  6  inches  in  girth.  Many  of 
these  stand  8x8  feet  apart,  but  the  grove  is  long  and  narrow,  receiving 
light  on  all  sides. 


112  UNIVERSITY    OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT    STATION. 

The  hardy  species  of  eucalyptus  of  the  newer  sorts  are  E.  alpina, 
E.  acerbula,  E.  leucoxylon,  and  the  superb  E.  Foeld-Bay,  seed  of  which 
was  received  from  Vilmorin  in  1895.  This  last  named  is  by  far  the 
best  of  all  the  new  eucalypts.  Planted  out  in  1896,  when  quite  small, 
it  girths  31  inches  in  1902,  and  bids  fair  to  outgrow  both  E.  rostrata  and 
E.  viminalis. 

Acacias. — The  well-known  A.  decurrens,  which  suffered  much  from 
frost  here  while  small,  has  made  large  trees  at  last,  several  being  now 
53  feet  high,  with  trunks  that  girth  nearly  5  feet.  A.  melanoxylon  has 
never  suffered  seriously  from  frost. 


CENTRAL    STATION TREE-PLANTING    ON    A    HILLTOP.  113 


CENTRAL  EXPERIMENT  STATION. 

Berkeley,  Alameda  County. 


TREE-PLANTING  ON  A  BERKELEY  HILLTOP. 

BY  C.  H.  SH1NN. 

A  significant  experiment  in  tree-planting  has  been  carried  on  for  a 
number  of  years  on  a  high  hill-top  in  the  northeastern  part  of  the  Uni- 
versity tract  at  Berkeley.  This  tract  comprises  249  acres  (outside  of 
the  Hillegass  tract)  and  rises,  at  first  gradually,  then  more  abruptly, 
from  its  western  frontage  on  Oxford  street  to  an  elevation  of  950  feet 
near  the  extreme  northeastern  corner.  Its  general  appearance  is  famil- 
iar to  the  public,  as  a  contour  map  has  been  printed  on  many  occasions. 
It  is  sufficient  to  say  here  that  the  mountainous  portion  east  of  the 
building  site  contains  about  125  acres,  used  as  pasture  land. 

The  soil  is  for  the  most  part  adobe;  the  native  vegetation,  confined  to 
the  canons,  consists  of  coast  live-oaks,  laurels,  willows,  and  lesser  shrubs. 
One  stray  madrono  stands  on  the  creek  near  the  agricultural  building. 

Eucalypts. — Considerable  planting  of  eucalypts  (chiefly  E.  globulus), 
pines  (chiefly  Monterey),  and  other  conifers  was  done  soon  after  the 
University  was  established  here,  but  nearly  all  on  a  level  below  400 
feet,  where  the  soil  was  deep  and  could  be  easily  plowed.  The  growth 
of  these  trees  has  been  rapid,  and,  in  many  respects,  surprising.  One 
large  block  of  almost  two  thirds  of  an  acre,  situated  west  of  the  «cinder 
track  at  the  union  of  the  two  creeks,  has  long  been  recognized  as  one  of 
the  most  instructive  eucalyptus  groves  of  its  size  in  this  part  of  Cali- 
fornia (see  Plate  17).  There  are  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  trees  here, 
the  largest  of  which  now  girths  7-J  feet,  breast-high. 

The  trees  on  the  outer  edge  of  this  grove  range  from  40  to  90  inches 
in  girth,  stand  8  to  10  feet  apart,  and  often  rise  40  feet  without  a  branch; 
in  the  middle  of  the  grove  the  trees  are  from  18  to  80  inches  in  circum- 
ference, but  with  even  taller  shafts.  It  is  estimated  that  this  grove,  if 
cut  for  fuel,  would  yield  about  400  cords  of  firewood,  or  at  the  rate  of 
about  600  cords  per  acre. 

One  eucalyptus  tree  cut  on  the  Hillegass  tract  in  1901  was  measured 
by  the  writer.  Its  age  was  twenty-four  years  and  its  diameters  were  26 
inches  and  31  inches  after  the  bark  had  been  stripped  off.  Yields  of 
800  cords  to  the  acre  have  been  reported  from  trees  of  twenty  years  of 
age.  Ten-year-old  red  gums  grown  by  Mr.  J.  C.  McCubbin,  of  Reedley, 
yielded  at  the  rate  of  235  cords  of  wood  per  acre,  and  it  was  by  him 
reported  to  have  from  85  to  90  per  cent  of  the  fuel  value  of  mountain 
live-oak.   ( Whether  this  was  E.  rostrata  or  E.  viminalis  was  not  reported. ) 

On  the  hills,  where  the  soil  is  scantier,  the  rainfall  of  less  amount,  and 

trees  more  exposed  to  winds,  the  growth  is  necessarily  very  much  less 

than  it  is  on  the  flat.     Such  hill  land  as  this,  however,  has  only  a  pasture 

value,  as  it  is  not  suitable  for  early  vegetables,  and  is  too  steep  for  grain. 

8 


114 


UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT     STATION, 


In  1887  the  Director  of  the  Experiment  Station  had  several  hundred 
trees  planted  near  the  top  of  a  knoll  at  an  elevation  of  800  feet.  The 
slope  here  is  west  and  northwest  and  is  fully  exposed  to  the  winds.     It 


PLATE  17.    Eucalyptus  Grove  (E.  globulus),  near  Economic  Garden. 

was  therefore,  as  a  site,  hardly  equal  to  the  average.     The  trees  planted 
were  English  oaks,  cork  oaks,  Monterey  pines,  and  Monterey  cypresses. 


CENTRAL    STATION --TREE-PLANTING    ON    A    HILLTOP. 


115 


In  1888  some  Acacia  decurrens  were  added  to  the  plantation,  and  a  few 
miscellaneous  trees,  most  of  which  died.  In  1H92  a  row  of  Eucalyptus 
corynocalyx,  or  sugar  gum,  and  in  1892  some  Eucalyptus  globulus  were 
planted  here.  The  latter  were  set  at  a  considerably  higher  point,  or  at 
nearly  900  feet  elevation.  All  these  trees  have  been  subject  to  pasture 
conditions,  have  received  no  care  nor  cultivation,  and  hence  can  not  be 
said  to  give  an  exaggerated  idea  of  the  growth  that  might  be  expected 
on  such  Coast  Range  slopes  as  these. 


PLATE  18.    E.  Globulus  in  Adobe  Soil  of  Hilltop. 


The  growth  of  the  common  blue  gum,  Eucalyptus  globulus,  now  ten 
years  planted,  is  greater  than  that  of  any  other  trees  tested.  Four  trees 
standing  near  the  crest  of  the  hill,  at  an  elevation  of  nearly  900  feet 
above  the  sea  (or  785  feet  above  the  Oxford  street  entrance  to  the  Uni- 
versity grounds),  now  show  an  average  girth  of  28  inches.  The  largest 
girths  33  inches.     They  are  from  40  to  45  feet  high  and  were  planted  8 


116 


UNIVERSITY    OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT    STATION. 


feet  apart.     They  are  now  growing  very  fast.     (Plate  18  shows  three  of 
these  trees.) 

The  sugar  gums  (Eucalyptus  corynocalyx) ,  which  are  two  years  older 
than  the  blue  gums,  are  planted  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  main  grove, 
which  consists  largely  of  oaks.  These  trees,  now  twelve  years  old,  range 
in  girth  from  20  to  30  inches,  and  are  20  to  25  feet  high.  The  trunks 
are  short,  not  exceeding  5  feet,  and  many  branch  near  the  ground.  The 
tops  spread  widely;  cattle  have  eaten  the  leaves  and  smaller  limbs 
within  reach. 


PLATE  19.    Acacla  Decurrens.  on  Hilltop. 


Acacias. — The  plantings  of  acacia  originally  made  included  melanoxy- 
lon  and  decurrens.  The  former  have  died;  the  latter  are  so  large  and 
healthy  as  amply  to  justify  large  plantations  on  such  soils. 

One  of  two  Acacia  decurrens  near  the  north  line,  close  to  the  fence  and 
isolated  from  the  main  grove,  is  shown  in  Plate  19.     This  tree  stands 


CENTRAL   STATION — TREE-PLANTING    ON   A    HILLTOP. 


117 


on  a  northern  slope,  on  heavy  adobe  soil,  with  native  vegetation  of 
clover,  wild  oats,  foxtail,  etc.  It  girths  42  inches  near  the  ground. 
The  main  stems  girth  27  and  30  inches.  The  height  of  the  tree  is 
30  feet.  Cattle  have  destroyed  all  the  lower  branches.  Trees  of  Acacia 
decurrens  in  the  main  grove,  surrounded  by  eucalypti  and  oaks,  girth 
from  38  to  40  inches  (single  stems). 

The  amount  of  firewood  per  acre  furnished  under  these  conditions  by 
Acacia  decurrens  is  greater  than  that  from  E.  corynocalyx,  but  is  less 
than  that  from  E.  globulus.  In  fuel  value  the  acacia  wood  is  estimated 
to  rank  higher  than  that  of  either  eucalyptus.  But  the  chief  value  of 
Acacia  decurrens,  its  yield  of  tan  bark,  deserves  especial  consideration. 
Planted  in  a  grove  on  such  land  as  this,  the  yield  of  bark  in,  say,  eight 

It  should  be  fully  twice  as  much  per 


years,  would  be  considerable. 


PLATE  20.    English  Oaks  on  Hilltop. 


acre  as  from  the  lighter  and  more  arid  Santa  Monica  grove  (see  report 
for  1897-8,  pp.  227-230).  Wattle  barks,  as  therein  reported  by  an 
expert  tanner  after  practical  tests,  are  "as  good  value  at  $28  a  ton  as 
oak  bark  at  $18  a  ton." 

Acacia  pycnantha  has  not  been  tested  on  this  hill-top.  A.  mollissima, 
as  well  as  A.  decurrens  and  some  of  the  ornamental  species,  were  planted 
in  the  southeastern  portion  of  the  tract,  on  a  slope  near  Strawberry 
Creek,  at  an  elevation  of  about  427  feet.  Here  the  growth  of  the  wattle 
acacias  was  very  rapid,  girths  of  from  4  to  5  feet  being  reached  in  fifteen 
years  from  planting.  In  this  location  the  acacias  showed  considerable 
power  of  reproduction  from  sprouts  when  trees  were  cut  and  from  self- 
sown  seeds. 

Oaks. — The  oaks,  planted  in  1887  on  the  hilltop,  elevation  800  feet, 
consisted  of  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  English  ( Quercus pedunadata) 
and  twenty  cork  oaks  (Q.  suber).     At  the  present  time,  ninety-eight 


118 


UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA— EXPERIMENT    STATION. 


English  oaks  and  fifteen  cork  oaks  remain.  Many  of  these  are  branched, 
shrubby,  and  spreading,  and  have  suffered  from  being  browsed  upon; 
but  forty-nine  of  the  English  oaks  are  of  good  size,  with  trunks  girthing 
over  15  inches,  and  twenty  of   these  exceed  18  inches.     The  average 


height  of  the  English  oaks,  however,  is  only  10  or  12  feet.     Eight  or  nine 
trees  are  much  taller  than   this,  and  are  conquering  the  unfortunate 
tendency  toward  a  shrubby  growth.     (See  central  oak  in  Plate  20.) 
The  best  cork  oaks  are  rather  larger  in  girth  of  trunks  than  are  the 


CENTRAL    STATION — TREE-PLANTING    ON    A    HILLTOP.  119 

English  oaks;  three  are  16,  20,  and  23  inches,  respectively,  above  the 
ground.  Of  the  fifteen  trees,  six  will  average  fully  10  feet  in  height, 
while  the  others  are  more  or  less  scrubby.  Both  cork  and  English  oaks 
are  very  healthy,  and  seem  as  well  established  here  as  any  native  tree  in 
the  adjacent  gulches.  The  oaks  are  on  a  dry  western  slope,  where  the 
pasturage  was  turning  brown  May  24th.  • 

The  only  profit  possible  from  oak  plantations  in  such  soil  as  this 
must  come  from  trees  constantly  side-pruned  and  cultivated  for  several 
years.  If  a  shrubby  growth  can  be  avoided,  both  the  English  and  the 
cork  oaks  will  thrive  here.  A  plantation  of  twenty  or  more  acres  of  cork 
oaks  would  give  the  matter  a  thorough  practical  test. 

Other  Trees. — Pines  of  several  species  planted  here  made  good  growth, 
reaching  in  some  cases  a  girth  of  15  inches,  but  were  broken  down  by 
cattle.  Monterey  cypresses,  though  still  alive,  are  now  mere  clumps 
with  dozens  of  scattered  stems.  Cork-bark  elms  failed.  Two  California 
poplars  (Populus  Fremonti)  are  growing  well,  but  have  no  economic 
value  as  compared  with  the  eucalypts,  acacias,  and  oaks. 

Conclusions. — The  poorest  part  of  the  grove  is  at  the  extreme  west, 
exposed  to  the  full  sweep  of  the  wind.  Gophers  and  cattle,  not  drought 
or  native  vegetation,  destroyed  most  of  the  trees  which  died.  Fenced 
from  cattle  and  given  some  cultivation  the  first  few  years,  the  growth 
would  have  been  much  greater  than  it  is.  In  a  larger  plantation,  too, 
the  mutual  shelter  afforded  by  the  young  trees  would  be  considerable. 

But  in  spite  of  all  drawbacks,  Acacia  decurrens,  eucalypts,  and  oaks 
are  well  established  here.  Land  as  steep  as  this  is  rented  at  from  fifty 
cents  to  a  dollar  an  acre  per  annum,  and  is  only  used  for  pasturage. 
There  are  thousands  of  acres  of  such  land  in  the  Coast  Range  within 
fifty  miles  of  San  ^Francisco  that  will  pay  interest  on  a  much  higher 
valuation,  if  used  for  growing  firewood,  not  to  say  a  better  quality  of 
timber.  As  the  general  illustration  (Plate  21)  shows,  the  grove  of  oaks, 
eucalypts,  and  acacias,  though  small,  covers  the  ground  well,  is  healthy, 
and  gives  good  evidence  of  the  value  of  these  hilltops  for  tree  growth. 
On  even  steeper  slopes  and  on  the  very  crest  of  the  Coast  Range, 
numerous  groves  of  blue  gums  exist  which  are  now  yielding  profitable 
returns.  Larger  forests  should  therefore  be  planted,  and  other  species 
of  eucalyptus,  also  the  wattle  acacias,  as  well  as  oaks,  should  be  given 
consideration. 


NOTE  ON  THE   COMPOSITION  OF   THE  ADOBE  SOIL  OF  THE   HILLTOP. 

By  E.  W.  HILGARD. 

The  soil  of  the  hilltop  where  the  grove  is  situated  is  a  very  hard  and 
black  adobe  clay,  cracking  open  when  dry,  breaking  up  in  lumps,  and 
very  difficult  to  remove,  even  with  a  pick.  Samples  were  taken  to  a 
depth  of  three  feet  in  a  representative  part  of  the  grove,  and  those  of 
the  first  and  third  feet  subjected  to  a  mechanical  and  chemical  analysis 
by  Prof.  Loughridge  and  Mr.  Triebel  in  the  station  laboratory,  with  the 
results  given  below. 

There  was  in  each  sample  from  12  to  15  per  cent  of  coarse  grits  and 
rock  fragments,  which  was  sifted  out  and  the  analysis  made  of  the  fine 
earth  having  a  diameter  of  one  half  millimeter  and  less. 


120  UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT    STATION. 

N os.  2430,  2432.    Mechanical  Composition  of  Hilltop  Adobe:  Berkeley. 


Hydraulic 

Value. 

Velocity  per 

Second. 

Diameter  of 
Grains. 

Physical  Characteristics. 

First  Foot. 
No.  2430. 

Third  Foot. 
No.  2432. 

Ab've  64  mm . 

Above  3^  mm. 
.50    -.30     " 
.30    -.16     " 
.16    -.12     " 
.12    -.072    " 
.072  -.047   " 
.047  -.036   " 
.036  -.025   " 
.025  -.016    " 
.016  -.0023  " 
.0023-     ?     " 

...Grits 

Per  cent. 

12-15 

4.21 

7.21 

3.89 

5.48 

5.16 

4.13 

4.30 

1.80 

42.62 

20.18 

Per  cent. 
12-15 

64      " 
64-  32      " 

Very  coarse  sand. 

._ Coarse  sand 

.18 
.28 

32- 16      " 
16-   8      " 

. ._ Medium  sand 

Fine  sand _. 

2.11 
3.18 

8-   4      " 

Coarsest  silt    

2.83 

4-  2      " 

Coarse  silt 

2.75 

2-   1      " 
1-   0.5  " 

Medium  silt .    ._ 

Fine  silt 

2.82 
4.10 

0.  5-   0.25" 

Finest  silt  . 

51.02 

0.25-     ?     " 

Colloid  clay 

30.45 

98.98 

99.72 

The  soil  mass  is  of  rather  extreme  physical  composition,  in  the  great 
predominance  of  very  fine  materials,  amounting  in  the  subsoil  to  over 
80  per  cent;  and  such  land  must  always  be  difficult  to  handle  in  culti- 
vation, and  be  uncertain  on  account  of  its  dependence  upon  favorable 
rainfall.  Unless  very  deeply  cultivated  it  will  crack  open  in  summer, 
tearing  the  roots  and  drying  the  soil  into  a  mass  of  rocky  hardness.  As 
it  is  not  intrinsically  very  rich,  it  would  be  desirable  to  utilize  it  for 
suitable  timber  growth,  provided  sufficient  root-penetration  can  be 
secured.  The  lack  of  this  is  probably  one  cause  of  the  low  growth  of  the 
English  oak. 

Chemical  Analysis  of  Adobe  Soil  of  Berkeley  Hills,  No.  2430. 

Per  cent. 

Insoluble  matter _. 72.19)      7a  7n 

Soluble  silica 6.5lf      '8''u 

Potash  (K20) 33 

Soda(Na2G) .29 

Lime(CaO).-.     .. .76 

Magnesia  (MgO) --..        .76 

Br.  ox.  of  manganese  (Mn304) 08 

Peroxid  of  iron  (Fe203) 6.02 

Alumina  (A1203) 4.58 

Phosphoric  acid  (P205) 07 

Sulfuric  acid  (S03)  02 

Water  and  organic  matter.. _ 8.93 

Total - ...  99.72 

Humus. - - 1.85 

Nitrogen,  per  cent  in  humus 8  70 

Nitrogen,  per  cent  in  soil ._ j.     .16 

Hygroscopic  moisture  (absorbed  at  15°  C)._ _ 9.09 

In  its  chemical  composition  this  soil,  as  might  be  expected,  does  not 
differ  widely  from  that  of  the  lower  slopes  and  the  yellow  ridge  soil 
of  the  University  grounds  (No.  4,  in  Report  of  1884).  It  is  poor  in 
potash  for  a  California  soil;  and  for  so  heavy  a  material  the  lime  con- 
tent, although  relatively  high  from  a  general  point  of  view,  is  too  low 
to  insure  ready  tillage.  The  content  of  phosphoric  acid  is  an  average 
one,  its  humus  content  is  good  for  the  arid  region,  and  the  nitrogen  per- 
centage of  the  humus  sufficiently  high.  The  fact  that  in  years  of  abund- 
ant rainfall  this  land  bears  a  very  heavy  growth  of  grasses  and  certain 
classes  of  weeds,  shows  that  if  improved  in  texture  it  might  be  highly 
productive  for  a  time. 

O 


